Correct way to use negative words?

[bcc1234]

If I want to target widget without red and blue.

Which one would be correct?
===
widget -red -blue
===

or

===
widget -red
widget -blue
===

What if I have a large number (like 50) negative words. How would I do that?

[amznVibe]

Everyone seems to go through this because there barely any examples from Google, I don't know why they haven't improved their FAQ yet. There are serveral threads here on this which I highly suggest you search for and read all...

I'll get you started with this simple tip: every negative keyword goes on its own line by itself and can only affect the entire ad

widgets
-blue
-red

here was my learning curve, make sure you ignore the incorrect eariler examples in the messages and only follow
the more enlightend ones at the bottom of the thread: [webmasterworld.com...]

[bcc1234]

Thanks man. That was exactly my problem: not enough docs on the adwords' help page and too many conflicting opinions on this board.

So just to make sure I get it:
The negative words should go on a separate line and affect the whole ad group. Right?

[chiyo]

Yep..

If you are selling some big animals...

ADGroup1

elephant
elephants
tiger
tigers
-white
-balm
-soup
-free
-tusk
-tusks
-rugs
-rug
-picture
-pictures
-I'm a

[bcc1234]

-I'm a

So it's also ok to use negative phrases?

What about "" and [] for negative phrases? Do they follow the same logic?

[chiyo]

Well as far as my testing has gone - using

tiger
-I'm a

will display your add for any queries that have tiger in it EXCEPT those queries that also include BOTH words - I'm a

I havent tested the "" or [] alternatives. (didnt want to tempt fate!

We use it mainly to get rid of those pesky research student types -

- what is
-how do I
-where is
-definition of
-compare and contrast (typical essay question!)

Im pretty sure that it works for us, but interested in hearing other experiences -especially using "blah".

[amznVibe]

I have already found out (at a little expense I might add) that

-[widgets]

does NOT WORK. Don't even try to do it.

I was trying to exclude the word widgets when it was used by itself for a search
since [widgets] means show the ad for just the word widgets by itself.

You'd think they would allow expressions like that but they don't.
And worse, it won't warn you of an invalid entry, it just thinks you are trying to exclude
the phrase brackets and all (brackets which you can't use on google)