How To Create Custom Intent Audiences In Google Ads (2026 Guide)
How To Create Custom Intent Audiences In Google Ads (2026 Guide)
Stop wasting your budget on broad targeting! In this definitive 2026 guide, we show you how to build high-converting Custom Intent Audiences (now called Custom Segments) in Google Ads. Whether you're running Performance Max, YouTube, or Display ads, these segments allow you to target people based on the exact keywords they typed into Google and the specific competitor websites they visit.
We walk you through the updated 2026 "Audience Manager" to show you the 3-step creation process: defining your intent signals, stacking competitor URLs, and applying the segment to your campaigns. You will learn the "No-Mistake" 2026 workflow, including why you should always select "People who searched for any of these terms on Google" to capture the highest intent. We also cover how to use the new AI Segment Builder to expand your reach without losing relevance. From targeting your competitors' customers to finding "in-market" buyers for B2B or retail, this walkthrough provides the most efficient path to laser-focused ads.
If this audience guide helped you lower your CPA, make sure to subscribe to our channel for more expert Google Ads tutorials and direct 2026 tech updates!