Find Right Keywords for Paid Ads With Semrush PCC Keyword Tool is the process I use when building focused PPC campaigns that actually convert. The tool helps me create keyword campaigns, keyword groups, and category campaigns I can export to Google Ads or other networks. I rely on it to import keyword lists, auto-group similar terms, remove duplicates, and prepare negative keyword lists so my daily PPC workflow is efficient and stress free.
Table of Contents
- How do I set up a project in the PPC keyword tool and add keywords?
- How can I import more keywords, auto-group them, and remove duplicates?
- How do I use negative keywords, grouping, and other keyword actions effectively?
- How do I export prepared keywords so they are ready for Google Ads?
- What practical benefits have I found using the tool?
How do I set up a project in the PPC keyword tool and add keywords?
I start by going under the Advertising section and opening the PPC keyword tool. I either choose an existing project or create a brand new one and click setup. From there I add the keywords I already want to target via paid ads. I can enter keywords manually, pull them from Semrush, or import them from a text file, CSV, or Excel file.
For example, I sometimes add a seed like “Semrush” and click add. The tool lets me select how many keyword variations I want and even auto-generate related keywords. I also pick the country I’m targeting, and if needed I narrow it further by city or state. Once I select these options I get a quick preview of campaign and ad group keywords that were created.
How can I import more keywords, auto-group them, and remove duplicates?
Importing more keywords is straightforward—there’s an import option available any time. I regularly import from CSV or Excel when I want bulk keywords added. After importing, I use the auto-grouping option to organize similar terms into ad groups automatically. Auto grouping saves me time and keeps the keyword list tidy.
The tool also has a feature to automatically find and remove duplicate keywords across campaigns. I click the duplicate detection and it highlights overlapping keywords so I can clean them up without manual checking. This is critical when multiple campaigns or ad groups start to overlap and cannibalize each other.
How do I use negative keywords, grouping, and other keyword actions effectively?
After grouping, I use the set of on-screen actions for refining keywords. I can move keywords to a negative list, change match types, move terms between groups, or delete selected items. There is also an option to find intersecting keywords inside ad groups and add them to a negative list at the ad group level. I switch between keywords and negative keyword lists whenever I need to refine campaign targeting.
These actions let me keep campaigns tight and avoid wasted spend on irrelevant or competing search terms. The functionality to automatically remove duplicates from a specific group and handle conflicting issues is especially handy when managing several campaigns at once.
How do I export prepared keywords so they are ready for Google Ads?
Once the campaigns, ad groups, and keyword lists are ready, I export the data as a CSV. The export lets me choose whether to include the default campaign setup or only basic data fields. The exported CSV is formatted so I can import it directly into Google Ads or other PPC networks.
Exporting final keywords completes the workflow: find or import keywords, auto-group and clean them, apply negative lists and match types, then export the CSV for upload. This sequence is why I use the tool to find right keywords for paid ads with Semrush PCC Keyword Tool.
What practical benefits have I found using the tool?
The major benefits I see are speed and accuracy. The tool optimizes repetitive parts of PPC setup, making keyword management efficient and stress free. It helps me understand competition levels and estimate cost while keeping campaign organization clear. When I need to scale or hand off campaigns, the exported CSV and clean group structure make transitions simple.
What import formats does the PPC keyword tool accept?
I can import keywords manually, from Semrush itself, from a text file, CSV, or Excel file.
Can the tool automatically group keywords?
Yes. There is an auto-grouping option that organizes similar keywords into ad groups automatically.
How do I handle duplicate or intersecting keywords?
The tool can find and remove duplicate keywords across campaigns and identify intersecting keywords in ad groups so you can add them to a negative list at the ad group level.
Is the exported file ready for Google Ads?
Yes. You can export the keyword data to a CSV format that can be imported into Google Ads or other PPC platforms.
