How to use semrush for paid search
- George Apostolov
How to use semrush for paid search: step-by-step guide
Head over to Advertising> Advertising Research in the left sidebar.
Enter a competitor's domain.
Go to Ads Copies.
Review their Paid Keywords and Ad copy.
Click on the Keywords below the ads to expand all trigger keywords.
You can see all the keywords and related data like position, CPC and trend.
Export the keywords.
Head over to PPC Keywords in the left sidebar.
Enter your website domain and hit Set up
Before uploading your keywords make sure they are cleaned. remove negitive keywords and groupd them. Then upload your keyword list here.
You can start configuring your ad campaign.
Go to the Position Tracking tool.
Add your website and target keywords. Set up email reports and launch your campaign:
Quick answer: To use Semrush for paid search, navigate to Advertising Research, enter a competitor domain, and review their ads and keywords. Next, use PPC Keywords to upload your cleaned keyword list, configure your ad campaign, and launch it using the Position Tracking tool with your website and target keywords.
About this Semrush tutorial
Analyze competitor ads and keywords, manage your PPC keyword lists, and track campaign positions effectively using Semrush. This guide shows how to use semrush for paid search in 13 steps, starting with "Head over to Advertising> Advertising Research in the left sidebar" and finishing with "Add your website and target keywords. Set up email reports and launch your campaign:". The interactive demo above is a click-through copy of the real Semrush interface, so you can rehearse each step before doing it in your own account.
Frequently asked questions
How many steps does it take to use semrush for paid search?
13 steps. Each one is listed in order above, and the demo highlights exactly where to click.
Can I try it without changing my own account?
Yes. Clicking through the demo doesn't touch your Semrush data or settings. Once you know the flow, repeat it in your own workspace.
This tutorial is filed under Semrush. Related guides: How to use semrush for website, How to use semrush for youtube and How to use semrush keyword magic tool. Last reviewed 05 Oct 2026.
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