Adding keywords in bulk is a core time-saving skill in Google Ads. You can add hundreds of keywords to multiple Ad Groups at once using the “Google ads editor“ tool directly in the web interface.

This method requires you to prepare your data in a spreadsheet format first.

Here is the detailed, step-by-step guide on how to add keywords in bulk:

Step 1: Prepare Your Keyword List

Before touching Google Ads, organise your keywords in a simple spreadsheet (like Google Sheets or Excel) with the following required columns:

Keyword Match Type Syntax:

You must use the correct symbols in the Keyword column if you choose not to use the separate Match Type column:

• Broad Match: salesforce development services (No symbols)

• Phrase Match: “salesforce development services” (Use quotation marks)

• Exact Match: [salesforce development services] (Use square brackets)

Step 2: Add Keywords 

This method is best when you are focused on adding keywords to just one or a few existing Ad Groups.

• Navigate to Keywords: In your Google Ads account, go to Campaigns in the left-hand menu, and then click Search keywords.

• Initiate Add: Click the blue plus button (+) to add new keywords.

• Select Destination: A window titled “Select an Ad group” (as shown in your screenshot) will appear.

  • Choose: Select the specific Ad Group where you want to add the keywords (e.g., “Digital Strategy, Creative, Ideas”).

• Access Upload Tool: At the pop-up window, click the UPLOAD KEYWORDS button.

• Upload: This opens the bulk entry field.

  • Choose Your Upload Method

  • You have two primary ways to get the data into Google Ads:

  • Option 1: Uploading a Static File (CSV/XLSX)
    

1. Format: Save your spreadsheet as a CSV, XLSX, or TSV file.

2. Initiate Upload: Click the + button at the top of the Upload keywords section.

3. Select File: Choose the file from your computer and upload it.
   
   

• Option 2: Linking an Existing Google Sheet (Recommended)

This is the most efficient option for ongoing account management and is what your screenshot highlights.

Benefit: When the source is a Google Sheet, you can update the keywords or bids directly in the sheet later, and Google Ads can pull those changes automatically without you having to re-upload a file.

1. Select Google Sheets: Under ‘Upload your file’, choose the Google Sheets drop-down menu.

2. Link Sheet: Click Link an existing Google Sheet. You will be prompted to paste the URL of your prepared keyword spreadsheet.

3. Permission: Google will confirm the link. Crucially, ensure the Google account you are signed into has edit permissions for that spreadsheet.
   
   

• Final Upload Steps

Once the file/sheet is selected, you move to the scheduling section:

1. Schedule the Upload: The most crucial setting is the ‘Run Frequency’ (or similar field, depending on the current interface version, which is often found just below the sheet link).

   • One time: Select this if you are doing a single, large batch addition.

   • Daily/Weekly: Select this if you are using a Google Sheet and plan to manage your negative keywords or bid changes directly in the sheet. This tells Google Ads to automatically check the sheet for updates every day/week.

2. Email Notification (Optional): You can check the box to “Send an email when upload is finished”. This is highly recommended for large uploads, as it confirms success or alerts you to any errors.

3. Preview and Apply:

   • Click Preview to see exactly which rows will be added, updated, or removed before the change goes live. This is essential for catching errors.

   • Once the preview is confirmed, click Apply to implement the changes to your campaigns.

• Note: When using this method, since you already specified the Campaign and Ad Group in step 3, you do not need the ‘Campaign’ and ‘Ad group’ columns in your pasted data.

Step 3: Review and Finalise

1. Confirm Columns: On the next screen, Google will display a preview, asking you to confirm that the column headers match the data below them (e.g., confirming that the ‘Campaign’ header lines up with your Campaign names). If the headings look correct, click Process again.

2. Review Changes: A list of proposed changes will appear. Review them to ensure the keywords are going into the correct Ad Groups and the Match Types are accurate.

3. Finalise: Click Keep proposed changes.

The keywords will now be added to your selected Ad Groups, and they will go through the normal ad review process before they become active.

Pro-Tip: Saving Time with Google Ads Editor

• Google Ads Editor (Desktop App): If you are frequently adding hundreds or thousands of keywords, download and use the Google Ads Editor. It is a robust tool designed for high-volume work and is less prone to timeouts and minor upload errors than the web interface.

  • In Editor, you would go to Keywords on the left menu, then select Make multiple changes and follow the same paste process.