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The Madison Avenue Field GuideA field guide to marketing & advertising, by Brandon Mina

GlossaryBrand & Performance MarketingPhrase Match

Brand & Performance Marketing

Phrase Match

A keyword match type that shows ads for searches including the keyword's meaning, with word order and intent preserved.

By Brandon MinaCEO, BrandPilot AIUpdated November 2026

Short answer

Phrase match is a keyword match type in search advertising that shows ads for searches including the meaning of the keyword. Word order and intent are preserved, but searches may include additional words before or after. It sits between broad match and exact match, offering moderate reach with reasonable control.