---
title: "How to Limit Keyword Imports per Ad Group"
slug: "how-to-limit-keyword-imports-per-ad-group"
updated: 2026-11-06T05:27:35Z
published: 2026-11-06T05:27:35Z
canonical: "docs.scaleinsights.com/how-to-limit-keyword-imports-per-ad-group"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.scaleinsights.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Limit Keyword Imports per Ad Group

The **Maximum Keyword Limit** setting in Import Rules helps prevent ad groups from accumulating more keywords than intended.

Before importing, Scale Insights checks the total number of existing keywords in the destination ad group. If the ad group reaches its configured limit, the Import Rule skips it and stops adding more keywords.

[![Import Rule KW limit](https://245731704.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na2.net/hubfs/245731704/GIF_Import%20Rule%20KW%20limit.gif)](https://245731704.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na2.net/hubfs/245731704/GIF_Import%20Rule%20KW%20limit.gif)

### Why Use This Feature?

- **Prevent keyword overload:** Keep ad groups manageable.
- **Maintain campaign structure:** Control keyword volume across ad groups.
- **Automate keyword management:** Let Scale Insights enforce your preferred limits.
- **Customize import strategies:** Set different limits for individual Import Rules.

### How to Set a Maximum Keyword Limit

Follow this walkthrough to configure the setting in your Import Rule.

1. Navigate to Automation and open **Import Rules**.
2. Create or edit an Import Rule. ![](https://245731704.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na2.net/hubfs/245731704/image-png-Nov-06-2026-03-31-10-8891-AM.png)
3. Enable **Do not execute if the destination ad group exceeds the keyword limit**. ![](https://245731704.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na2.net/hubfs/245731704/image-png-Nov-06-2026-03-32-06-5983-AM.png)
4. Enter your preferred value in the **Max keywords** field. ![](https://245731704.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na2.net/hubfs/245731704/image-png-Nov-06-2026-03-32-31-9696-AM.png)
5. Configure the other Import Rule settings.
6. **Save** your changes.

### How the Keyword Limit Works

Scale Insights counts all existing keywords in the destination ad group, regardless of how they were added.

| Keyword status | Counts toward limit? |
| --- | --- |
| Enabled | Yes |
| Paused | Yes |
| Archived | No |

**Example:**

Your ad group has 4 keywords, and the maximum limit is 5. If the Import Rule identifies 10 candidates, only 1 keyword can be imported.

### Example Use Case: Managing Multiple Import Rules

Suppose two Import Rules are assigned to the same ad group:

| Import Rule | Maximum limit |
| --- | --- |
| Rule A | 5 |
| Rule B | 20 |

If the ad group already has 18 keywords:

- **Rule A:** Skips the ad group because it exceeds the limit of 5.
- **Rule B:** Can import up to 2 keywords before reaching its limit.

This allows different Import Rules to follow different keyword limits, depending on your harvesting strategy.

### Important Notes and Limitations

- The Max keywords field accepts whole numbers from 1 to 1,000.
- Enabled and paused keywords count toward the limit. Archived keywords are excluded.
- All existing non-archived keywords count, regardless of their source.
- The setting is optional. If disabled, no additional keyword limit is enforced by this setting.
- Each Import Rule evaluates its limit independently. One rule's limit does not affect another rule assigned to the same ad group.

### Frequently Asked Questions

#### 1. Do manually added keywords count?

Yes. All existing non-archived keywords count, regardless of how they were added.

#### 2. What happens when an ad group reaches its limit?

The Import Rule skips the destination ad group and stops importing additional keywords.

#### 3. Can different Import Rules have different limits?

Yes. Each rule has its own maximum keyword limit.

#### 4. Do archived keywords count?

No. Archived keywords are excluded from the count.