{"id":4426,"date":"2017-05-09T10:08:13","date_gmt":"2017-05-09T04:38:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.karooya.com\/blog\/?p=4426"},"modified":"2021-07-14T17:56:37","modified_gmt":"2021-07-14T12:26:37","slug":"phrase-match-vs-bmm-adwords","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.karooya.com\/blog\/phrase-match-vs-bmm-adwords\/","title":{"rendered":"Phrase Match vs Broad Match Modifier (BMM) – Google Ads"},"content":{"rendered":"

[Update as on 14th July 2021] \u2013 Starting in late July, advertisers will no longer be able to create new broad match modifier keywords. Read about the update here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Assigning the right match type to your bidded keyword can make your PPC activities result driven. This is one task that needs regular reviewing so that you don’t end up wasting your ad spend or miss out on prospect keywords.<\/p>\n

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Google Ads offers use of Broad, Exact, Phrase and BMM (Broad Match Modifier) match types, each of which has a different objective and reach. Where Exact match and Broad match have clear intent, the former being too restrictive and the latter being less restrictive, BMM and phrase match fall under the radar of divided opinions. Some feel that BMM fills in the gaps of Phrase match type while some still see Phrase match type as a more relevant approach.<\/p>\n

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Since the launch of BMM,<\/a> Advertisers are more inclined towards using this match type. It is more restrictive than Broad match type and less restrictive than a Phrase & Exact match types. It gives an opportunity to drive relevant clicks and increase in ROI. However, the web is distributed with difference of opinions on the usage of Phrase vs BMM match type. It is because BMM also caters to the Phrase match type keywords, hence it is assumed that using BMM instead will solve the purpose.<\/p>\n

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We will discuss Phrase Match vs Broad Match Modifier differences and how and when to use these two match types.<\/h4>\n


But fist, let’s revisit\u00a0the match types:<\/p>\n

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“Update as on September 2019”<\/strong> – As per Google’s announcement on 31st July 2019,\u00a0Broad Match and Phrase Match Modifiers<\/a> keywords will begin matching to search queries that share the\u00a0same meaning.\u00a0This will help advertisers increase clicks and conversion by 3-4%.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Broad <\/a>Match:<\/i><\/strong>\u00a0It allows the ad to show when the keyword is present anywhere within the search query. If your keyword is chiffon sarees<\/i>, then your ad will be shown for search queries such as printed chiffon sarees <\/i>or sarees in chiffon <\/i>but not for search queries such as silk sarees.<\/i><\/p>\n

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Phrase Match:<\/strong><\/i>\u00a0Phrase match keywords must be present in the search query in the same order as mentioned by you. Denoted in quotes, if your keyword is \u201cpink pyjamas<\/i>\u201d then your ad will be shown for queries such as pink pyjamas for girls<\/i> or pink pyjamas and t-shirts<\/i>. Your ad will not show for queries such as p<\/em>yjamas in pink color<\/i> or pink and printed pyjamas<\/i><\/p>\n

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Exact <\/a>Match:<\/i><\/strong>\u00a0With exact match type your ad will be shown only if your search query exactly matches your bidded keyword. For instance, if your keyword is [soft toy]<\/i> then your ad will not show only for the search query soft toy. It means for other search queries such as teddy soft toy<\/i> or soft toy for kids<\/i>, your ad will not show.<\/p>\n

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Broad Match Modifier (BMM)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>: Denoted with a ‘+’ sign before the keyword(s), any search query with the keyword present in any order will trigger your ad. For instance, if your bidded keyword is +blue +socks then your ad will show for queries such as socks in blue color, blue socks for girls<\/em> or blue boy socks,\u00a0<\/em>regardless of the order in which the keywords are present. However if any of these keywords are not present together in the query, then your ad will not show. For instance,\u00a0blue skirt for girls <\/em>or socks in red color\u00a0<\/em>will not trigger your ad as the keyword socks<\/em> and blue<\/em> are missing in these queries respectively.<\/p>\n

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Phrase Match vs Broad Match Modifier \u2013 When Should You Use These Two Match Types?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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As discussed above, though BMM expands your reach and\u00a0is more controlled than Broad match, in some cases it might just make more sense to be a little more restrictive.<\/p>\n

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Brand or Product Names<\/strong><\/p>\n

For example, Wellington Hotels (being the brand name) may serve for unwanted search queries when put under BMM match type +Wellington +Hotels. Whereas for Phrase match type “Wellington Hotels”, the ad is triggered for search queries with the brand name written in the same order. Here is when the ads will be triggered:<\/p>\n

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Clearly BMM doesn’t serve for all relevant search queries and in this case using Phrase match type results in more accurate results.<\/p>\n

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Long Tail Keywords<\/strong><\/p>\n

If your account has long tail keywords such as women leather bags, then assigning the BMM here can help you reach all relevant search queries. Here is how it will show for queries that you would want to generate clicks for:<\/p>\n

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As is clear, in this case, BMM match type helps expand your reach and not limit it like phrase match does with only one search query.<\/p>\n

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Negative Keywords<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is a crucial component of your PPC account and as known, the more the reach of a keyword match type, more are the chances of driving irrelevant clicks. With Phrase Match keywords, you can be spared from the trouble of adding too many negative keywords<\/a>. However, with BMM you need to make sure that no search query combining your keywords\u00a0is not relevant to your business. Hence a thorough review of search terms triggering your ad needs to be done for BMM.<\/p>\n

Note:<\/strong>\u00a0Karooya\u2019s\u00a0Negative Keywords Tool<\/a>\u00a0for Google Ads provides Negative keyword recommendations\u00a0while saving 10-20% of your search spend for free. This tool is now\u00a0Free<\/strong>\u00a0for accounts with ad spend less than\u00a0$10,000<\/strong>\u00a0per month.\u00a0Sign up<\/a>\u00a0and start saving your ad budget now.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Ad Testing Option<\/strong><\/p>\n

Advertisers build multiple ad copies to identify the best and worst performing ads<\/a>, eventually running the ones driving results.\u00a0In such a case, using Phrase Match may not be able to gather significant data for you to draw c conclusion.\u00a0Opting for BMM match type can offer considerable analysis about your ad messaging and which ones to further go ahead with. BMM’s extensive search volume data will give you insights about your ad, however, it might also result in some inefficiencies such as low conversions and higher CPC. But the main purpose of identifying valuable ads is attained with BMM instead of Phrase match<\/p>\n

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Keyword Analysis<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you have a phrase match keyword with low volume, then insufficient search volume data will not help you make a meaningful judgment about a keyword. Alternately, a BMM match type keyword can easily help you assess a keyword’s productivity and you can decide whether to go ahead with it or not. Additionally, it helps you identify prospect search queries that you can bid on, which will be a little restricted in case of Phrase Match type keyword.<\/p>\n

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Related Links:<\/strong><\/p>\n