skill-017-negative-keyword-conflict-detection

Skill 017: Negative Keyword Conflict Detection

Purpose

Identify negative keywords that are blocking or could block desired active keywords, causing ads not to show for intended queries. Negative/positive conflicts can silently suppress valuable traffic.

Data Requirements

Data Source: Standard

Standard Data:

• data/account/shared_negative_lists.md - Shared negative keyword lists
• data/account/campaigns/*/negative_keywords.md - Campaign-level negatives
• data/account/campaigns/*/*/negative_keywords.md - Ad group-level negatives
• data/account/campaigns/*/*/keywords.md - Active positive keywords

Reference GAQL:

SELECT
  campaign.name,
  ad_group.name,
  ad_group_criterion.keyword.text,
  ad_group_criterion.keyword.match_type,
  ad_group_criterion.negative
FROM keyword_view
WHERE ad_group_criterion.status = 'ENABLED'

Use /google-ads:get-custom if you need to include shared set data.

Analysis Steps

1. Build negative inventory: Compile all negatives with scope (shared list, campaign, ad group) and match type
2. Build positive inventory: Compile all active keywords with match type and location
3. Detect direct conflicts: Check if negatives would block positives (exact blocks same text, phrase blocks containing text, broad blocks all-words match)
4. Check hierarchy conflicts: Campaign negatives blocking ad group keywords; shared list blocking campaign keywords
5. Assess severity: Complete block (keyword fully suppressed) vs. partial/potential block

Thresholds

Condition	Severity
Negative exactly matches active keyword	Critical
Phrase negative contains words from active keyword	Critical
Shared list negative blocks campaign keyword	Critical
Broad negative words all appear in active keyword	Warning
Close variant match possible	Info

Output

Use Short format by default. Use Detailed if user requests comprehensive analysis.

Short:

## Negative Conflict Detection Audit
**Account:** [Name] | **Conflicts Found:** [X]

### Critical ([Count])
- **"[negative]"** (phrase) blocks **"[keyword]"** → Remove negative or use exact match
- **Shared list** "[list]" blocks campaign keyword → Remove from list

### Warnings ([Count])
- **"[negative]"** (broad) may block **"[keyword]"** → Review and test

### Recommendations
1. Remove or modify [X] blocking negatives
2. Change [X] phrase negatives to exact match

Detailed adds:

• What Was Checked (negative sources, match type logic)
• Direct conflicts table (Negative, Match, Level, Positive Blocked, Location, Severity)
• Hierarchy conflicts table (Negative, Level, Positive, Level, Impact)
• Resolution recommendations for each conflict