Negative keywords for auto repair shops
Auto repair searches draw in DIY mechanics looking for tutorials and job seekers hunting for mechanic positions. This list keeps that traffic off your ads.
Why negative keywords matter for auto repair shops
Searches like "check engine light" or "brake repair" frequently include people looking for step-by-step DIY repair videos, replacement parts to install themselves, or mechanic job openings. These clicks rarely lead to a booked service appointment.
Because auto repair tickets vary widely in value, wasted clicks on DIY and parts-shopping searches can quietly eat into your budget. Filtering them out keeps your ads focused on drivers ready to bring their car into the shop.
The full list
53 terms. Review each one before adding — remove anything you actually sell.
Jobs and careers
- jobs
- careers
- hiring
- salary
- how to become a
- job openings
- employment
- resume
- internship
- apprenticeship
- mechanic jobs near me
- auto technician salary
- service advisor hiring
- mechanic apprentice jobs
DIY and free
- diy
- free
- how to do it yourself
- at home remedy
- cheap
- homemade
- without calling
- myself
- tutorial
- free consultation
- diy brake replacement
- fix check engine light myself
- how to change oil yourself
- diy car repair tutorial
Education and training
- school
- certification
- training course
- license requirements
- degree
- classes
- textbook
- study guide
- automotive technician school
- ase certification course
- auto mechanic training program
- automotive trade school
Wrong service
- auto parts store near me
- used car dealership
- car wash near me
- auto body paint supplies
- car insurance quotes
- vin number lookup
- car recall check
- junkyard near me
- car rental service
- tire sizes chart
- car wax reviews
- repair manual pdf download
- obd2 code list
Competitors (add your own)
Add the names of local competitors you don't want to pay for. Review these case by case.
If your shop also sells used parts, remove "auto parts store near me" so you don't lose parts customers.
How to add these in Google Ads
- Sign in to Google Ads and open the campaign you want to protect.
- Go to Keywords, then Negative keywords, and click the blue plus button.
- Choose whether to add them to this campaign, an ad group, or a negative keyword list you can share across campaigns.
- Paste the terms, one per line. Remove any you actually want to show for first.
- Click Save. Check the search terms report again after a week or two to see what's still getting through.
Find the searches wasting your budget — free audit
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Frequently asked questions
Does this block check engine light searches?
The base symptom search stays, but DIY-specific phrasing like "fix check engine light myself" is filtered.
Is this list useful for a transmission specialist shop?
Yes, though you may want to add general-repair-only exclusions if you specialize in transmissions.
Should I add specific car brand names?
Only if you don't service those brands; otherwise leave brand names out of your negatives.
Related guides and tools
- Negative keyword list generator — A ready-to-copy negative keyword list for your industry.
- How to add negative keywords in Google Ads — Step-by-step: how to add negative keywords in Google Ads at the ad group, campaign or list level, and how to avoid blocking good traffic by mistake.
- Which Google Ads search terms are wasting your money — How to find the search terms wasting your Google Ads budget, group them into patterns, and exclude them with negative keywords without blocking real customers..
- Google Ads audit for auto repair shops — Parts, DIY, dealership and mechanic-job searches are the main leaks.
Sources
Last updated · Written by the Claritad team (Kyle Edward Gilligan LLC). Claritad is independent software and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Google.