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Broad, Phrase or Exact: Which Match Type for Your Keywords?
7 February 2026 · 5 min read
Match type affects reach, relevance and cost. There's no single rule, but there are clear guidelines.
When to use each
- Exact: high-intent, branded, limited budget
- Phrase: balanced reach and control
- Broad: discovery, with strong negatives
Best practices
- Start with Phrase or Exact for new campaigns
- Add Broad with careful negatives
- Review search terms weekly
- Use Broad Match with Smart Bidding when you have conversion data