Location exclusions are one of the most overlooked budget controls in Google Ads. Done right, they stop spend from leaking into cities, regions, or countries that never convert. This guide covers every method, from single exclusions to bulk imports and Editor CSV.
What location exclusions do
Location exclusions stop your ads from showing in specific geographic areas within your targeted locations. Per Google's Ads Help Center, you can block any sub-region inside a broader target. A state-level target can exclude individual cities. A national campaign can exclude entire regions.
When exclusions help
Regional promotions with delivery limits need exclusions. A real estate agency targeting a metro may want to skip a neighboring county outside its service area. A retailer running a regional sale can block zip codes where the deal doesn't apply. Exclusions keep budget on audiences that can actually buy.
How exclusions interact with targeted locations
Exclusion always wins. If a location appears in both your targeted and excluded lists, Google Ads drops the target entirely. Per Google's documentation, this priority rule applies consistently across Search Network, Display Network, and Demand Gen campaigns.
How to exclude individual locations
Individual exclusions take under a minute and suit any campaign with a short block list.
Navigate to campaign Settings
Open Google Ads. Select the campaign you want to edit. Click Settings in the left menu. Scroll down to Locations and expand the section.
Search and exclude in the Locations section
Click Edit locations. Type a location name into the search bar. When your target appears, click Exclude instead of Add. Save your changes. The excluded location now shows with a red indicator in your Locations list.
Using Advanced search to find specific locations
Some locations, especially postal codes and smaller cities, don't surface in standard search. Click Advanced search above the search bar. Filter by location type: city, region, postal code, congressional district, or university. Find your match and click Exclude.
How to exclude locations in bulk
Bulk exclusions save time when you're blocking dozens or hundreds of areas.
Bulk exclusion limits
Google Ads allows up to 1,000 location exclusions at a time in bulk mode. Plan your list before you start. Exceeding the limit in one action triggers an error.
Using Advanced search with 'Add locations in bulk'
Open Advanced search from the Locations section. Click Add locations in bulk. Paste your location list, one entry per line. Click Search. Google Ads matches each entry to its location database. Review the results, select all valid matches, and click Exclude.
One country at a time rule
The bulk tool only searches within one country per session. If you're excluding locations across multiple countries, run a separate bulk session for each. That's the platform's design.
Reviewing and confirming bulk exclusions
After clicking Exclude, Google Ads displays a pending summary. Read it carefully. Accidental bulk exclusions can silently cut reach without triggering any campaign alerts. Confirm only after you've verified every location on the list.
Excluding locations in Google Ads Editor
Editor handles location exclusions offline. It's the right tool for large account restructures or agency-scale changes.
Using the Negatives area of the Locations tab
Select your campaign in Google Ads Editor. Open the Locations tab. Find the Negatives area at the bottom of the panel. Add each excluded location here the same way you'd add a positive target.
CSV import format
Per Google Ads Editor Help Center documentation, CSV imports support two formats. Either add a minus (-) prefix before each location name. Or include a Type column and set the value to Negative for each exclusion row. Both produce the same result. The minus prefix approach is faster for quick edits.
Important limits and rules
Know these before you build any exclusion list.
Country-level exclusion limits
As of March 31, 2024, per Google's Ads Help Center, campaigns using all countries and territories for positive targeting are capped at 122 country-level exclusions. If your global campaign needs more granular blocking, consider restructuring into region-specific campaigns instead.
Proximity targets cannot be excluded
Radius-based (proximity) targets are not eligible for exclusion. Per Google Ads Editor documentation, if you need to restrict a radius target, you'll need to rebuild your location targeting using named locations. Exclusions only work on named geographic areas.
No need to exclude non-targeted locations
Ads don't run in areas you haven't targeted. Excluding untargeted countries wastes your 122-exclusion allowance for zero benefit. Apply exclusions only inside locations you've actively targeted.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do location exclusions override location targets in Google Ads?
Yes. If a location appears in both your targeted and excluded lists, the exclusion takes priority and Google Ads will not show ads there.
How many locations can I exclude in bulk at once?
Google Ads allows up to 1,000 location exclusions at a time using the 'Add locations in bulk' feature inside Advanced search. Bulk searches are limited to one country per session.
Can I exclude a radius (proximity) target in Google Ads?
No. Proximity targets are not eligible for exclusion. If you need to restrict coverage within a radius-based target, you must restructure your campaign to use named geographic locations instead.
Do I need to exclude countries I haven't targeted?
No. Ads only show in locations you have actively targeted. Excluding untargeted locations wastes your country-level exclusion allowance without any benefit.