Wrong PPC Ad Showing on Google for Keyword

[crackadon]

Google is activating a PPC ad from a separate ad group for a keyword not associated with that ad. What? Why? How do I stop it?

My client is a home improvement company.. search term "deck contractor %thecity%" is activating an ad for the keyword "patio contractor". Whats going on?

[dburk]

Hi crackadon,

It sounds like you are using broad match keywords, generally not a good ideal. Broad match keywords will trigger expanded broad match keywords.

Your ads may also appear on relevant variations of your keyword phrases and plurals, as well as some related keywords and phrases via our expanded keyword matching technology.

Source:Keyword matching options - AdWords Help

Do not use broad match keywords except for keyword testing, to find terms that you may have never thought of, and if you do use lots of negative keywords to prevent any keywords that are not extremely targeted from triggering ads.

It is better to use exact match keywords and phrase match keywords (with negative match words added).