A sneaker company is looking to boost awareness for a major product launch that’s coming up. They’re looking to use broad match to reach a larger audience. Which three steps could they take to help them accomplish this?

A sneaker brand is planning a big product launch and wants to get the word out to as many people as possible.
Their goal? Boost brand awareness by using broad match keywords in Google Ads.

Let’s walk through the best three steps they should take — and why some answers can be misleading in the Google Ads Search Certification exam.

Question:

A sneaker company is looking to boost awareness for a major product launch that’s coming up. They’re looking to use broad match to reach a larger audience. Which three steps could they take to help them accomplish this?

  • They could use responsive search ads and AI-powered creatives.
  • They could organize and align all of their ad groups according to a common theme.
  • They could increase their campaign reach by using broad match with manual bidding.
  • They could use brand restrictions for branded campaigns when it’s suitable.
  • They could add broad match keywords for exact match keywords across campaigns.

Here are the three correct answers:

  1. They could use responsive search ads and AI-powered creatives.
  2. They could organize and align all of their ad groups according to a common theme.
  3. They could add broad match keywords for exact match keywords across campaigns.

If you are interested, you can take the exam on Google Ads Search Certification.

Why These Three Are Correct:

1. Use responsive search ads and AI-powered creatives

This means Google can automatically mix and match headlines and descriptions to find what works best — and show it to more people.

💡 When combined with broad match, this helps match your ad to more searches, even ones you didn’t think of.

2. Use brand restrictions for branded campaigns when it’s suitable

If the sneaker brand wants to protect its name (like “AirBoost Max”), they can use brand controls — so broad match won’t show ads for unrelated or low-quality searches.

This keeps the broad match focused only on relevant brand terms, helping reach the right people while still getting wide coverage.

3. Add broad match keywords for exact match keywords across campaigns

If you’ve been using exact match (like [buy red running shoes]), you can add broad match versions (like red running shoes) in the same or other campaigns.

🎯 This helps Google expand reach while still learning from your past data and performance.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong:

❌ Option❌ Why It’s Not Correct
Organize ad groups by themeThat’s a good general tip, but it doesn’t help you reach more people with broad match.
Use broad match with manual biddingManual bidding doesn’t work well with broad match — you need automated bidding so Google’s AI can adjust in real time.

Real-Life Example:

Imagine you’re launching a new sneaker called “AirZoom Blaze”.

  • With broad match, your ad might show for people searching for:
    • “lightweight gym shoes”
    • “best running sneakers”
    • “sports shoes 2025 drop”

You didn’t use those keywords exactly, but Google’s AI knows they’re related — and can show your ad to those users.

To make it work well:

  • You use responsive ads to test many headlines like “Shop the New Blaze Drop” or “Top Sneakers of the Season”
  • You add broad match versions of your keywords
  • And you apply brand restrictions so your brand name is only shown in the right searches

Now your reach is bigger and smarter.

Learn More for Higher Study:

FAQs

Q1: What is “broad match” in Google Ads?

It’s a keyword type that shows your ad on related searches, not just exact words. It helps you reach more people.

Q2: Why not use manual bidding with broad match?

Because Google’s AI needs to adjust bids quickly, and manual bidding limits that power.

Q3: Are responsive search ads required?

Not required, but highly recommended. They help your ad adjust automatically and find the best performing combinations.

Q4: Can I use brand controls for other products too?

Yes! If you want to protect your brand terms and keep them clean and relevant, brand restrictions are useful in many industries.

Conclusion

The three best steps for using broad match in a sneaker product launch are:

  1. ✅ Use responsive search ads and AI-powered creatives
  2. ✅ Use brand restrictions when needed
  3. ✅ Add broad match keywords alongside exact match keywords

This combo helps the brand reach a wider audience with smart targeting.

Finally, I will say that if you are ready, then you can take the Google Skillshop test for the Google Ads Search Certification Exam. If you want more questions about the Google Ads Search Certification Exam, keep following.

Looking for more questions and walkthroughs? Keep following!