Low Search Volume Keywords are search terms in Google Ads that receive very little or minimal traffic on Google's search network. When Google identifies a keyword as having low search volume, it temporarily marks it as inactive, meaning your ads will not show for that particular keyword until its s…Low Search Volume Keywords are search terms in Google Ads that receive very little or minimal traffic on Google's search network. When Google identifies a keyword as having low search volume, it temporarily marks it as inactive, meaning your ads will not show for that particular keyword until its search traffic increases.
Google determines low search volume status by analyzing the historical search data for a keyword. If a term has very few searches over an extended period, Google assigns this status to help maintain system efficiency and ensure advertisers are not wasting budget on terms that rarely trigger ad impressions.
When a keyword receives the low search volume label, it essentially becomes dormant in your account. Google periodically reviews these keywords, typically on a weekly basis, to check if search activity has increased. If the keyword starts generating more searches, Google will automatically reactivate it and your ads can begin showing again.
There are several strategies to address low search volume keywords. First, consider using broader match types such as phrase match or broad match instead of exact match, as this allows your ads to appear for related variations with higher traffic. Second, you might combine similar low search volume keywords into more general terms that capture the same intent but have greater search activity.
Another approach involves reviewing your keyword list and removing extremely niche terms that are unlikely to ever gain sufficient volume. You can also research alternative keywords using Google's Keyword Planner tool to find related terms with better search metrics.
It is important to note that low search volume status is not a quality issue and does not negatively impact your Quality Score or account performance. It simply indicates that the specific keyword does not have enough search activity to warrant active participation in the ad auction process at that time.
Low Search Volume Keywords: Complete Guide
What Are Low Search Volume Keywords?
Low Search Volume Keywords are keywords in Google Ads that have very little to no search history on Google. When Google identifies a keyword with minimal search traffic, it assigns a Low Search Volume status, which temporarily makes the keyword inactive. This means ads will not show for these keywords until search traffic increases.
Why This Concept Is Important
Understanding Low Search Volume Keywords is crucial for several reasons:
• Budget Efficiency: These keywords do not trigger ads, so they do not consume your advertising budget • Account Organization: Knowing which keywords are inactive helps maintain a clean, efficient account structure • Keyword Strategy: Helps advertisers make informed decisions about keyword selection and alternatives • Performance Expectations: Prevents confusion when keywords appear to not be generating any impressions
How Low Search Volume Keywords Work
Google's system continuously monitors search activity across all keywords. Here is the process:
1. Detection: Google identifies keywords with very few or no searches over an extended period 2. Status Assignment: The keyword receives the Low Search Volume status 3. Temporary Deactivation: The keyword becomes inactive and will not trigger ads 4. Periodic Review: Google reactivates keywords automatically if search traffic increases 5. Automatic Recheck: Google reviews these keywords approximately once per week
Common Causes of Low Search Volume Status
• Keywords that are too specific or contain too many words • Misspellings that few people search for • Highly niche product or service terms • Newly created keywords for emerging topics • Overly technical jargon
What To Do About Low Search Volume Keywords
Advertisers have several options:
• Wait: If the keyword is relevant, keep it in the account as Google will reactivate it when searches increase • Broaden Match Types: Consider using phrase match or broad match instead of exact match • Simplify Keywords: Remove unnecessary words to create a shorter, more commonly searched term • Remove: Delete keywords that are unlikely to ever gain search volume
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Low Search Volume Keywords
Key Points to Remember:
• Low Search Volume status is temporary and can change • Keywords with this status are not deleted from the account, just made inactive • Google automatically reviews and can reactivate these keywords • This status does not affect Quality Score calculations • Low Search Volume keywords do not impact account performance metrics negatively
Common Exam Scenarios:
• Questions asking why a keyword is not generating impressions - consider Low Search Volume as a potential answer • Questions about recommended actions - remember that broadening match type is a valid solution • Questions about keyword status - know that this is a system-assigned status, not something advertisers set manually
Watch Out For:
• Answers suggesting this status affects billing - it does not • Answers indicating you must take action - the status resolves on its own when traffic increases • Confusion with other keyword statuses like paused or disapproved