Running Google Ads is expensive if the wrong audience clicks your ads. One of the most common budget leaks? Job seekers.
If someone searches for “plumbing jobs” or “marketing careers,” they’re not looking to hire you — they’re looking for employment.
The problem: Google can still show your ads to these people unless you filter them out.
Here’s how to exclude job seekers in Google Ads (2025 update).
Step 1: Open Your Campaign
- Log into Google Ads
- Navigate to Campaigns
- Select the campaign where you want to block job-seeker traffic
Step 2: Find Audience Settings
- In the left-hand menu, click Audiences
- Choose Exclusions
- Hit the blue + button to add new audience exclusions
Step 3: Search for Job-Seeker Categories
In the audience search bar, type: Employment or Career Services
Look under In-Market Audiences. Google groups active job seekers into categories like:
- Job Listings
- Employment Agencies
- Resume Services
- Career Development
Step 4: Add as Exclusions
- Select these job-seeker audiences
- Choose exclusion level:
- Campaign level → blocks job seekers across all ads
- Ad group level → blocks only specific ad groups
Step 5: Save & Monitor
- Save your changes
- Watch your search terms report and audience insights
- If you still see job-related clicks, add negative keywords like:
- jobs
- hiring
- careers
- vacancies
- employment
Why This Works (Two-Part Defense)
- Audience Exclusions → Prevent Google from showing ads to people actively in the job market.
- Negative Keywords → Block any job-related search queries that slip through.
Together, this setup ensures your ads reach real buyers, not job hunters — maximizing ROI.
FAQs
1. Why should I exclude job seekers in Google Ads?
Because they waste your ad budget. Job seekers are not your customers, and their clicks won’t convert into sales.
2. Can I exclude job seekers at the account level?
Currently, exclusions are set at campaign or ad group level, not account-wide.
3. What if I’m running recruitment ads?
In that case, you’d do the opposite — target job-seeker audiences instead of excluding them.
4. How do I know if job seekers are clicking my ads?
Check your search terms report. If you see words like “jobs” or “careers,” those are job seekers.
5. Does this method work in Performance Max campaigns?
Yes but with limited control. Use negative keywords and exclusions via account-level controls or brand safety settings.
So,
Excluding job seekers in Google Ads is a must-do optimization if you want to stop wasting money on irrelevant clicks.
By combining audience exclusions and negative keywords, you can push your budget toward people who actually want your service or product.
Want your Google Ads campaigns to stop wasting money and start driving high-quality leads?
Let’s optimize your ads together. [Contact me today for a free consultation.]