Intro
Combine two modifier families in GSC so you can find queries that mention both a target topic and a commercial qualifier in the same search.
Use this regex to match queries only when both concept groups appear, regardless of their order in the query.
The Regex
How This Regex Works (Explained Simply)
()
Parentheses group terms together so GSC treats them as one unit. That is what lets one regex cover several query variants in a single filter.
|
The pipe means OR. GSC will match any term on either side of the pipe, which is useful for variants, modifiers, or alternative phrases.
.*
Dot-star means any characters can appear here. In GSC it is commonly used when you want to allow extra words before or after a core phrase.
?
The question mark usually makes the previous character or group optional. That is handy when a query modifier appears inconsistently.
GSC regex is case-insensitive by default, so capital letters do not need separate variants. GSC also uses partial matching by default, so the regex can match part of a longer query unless you anchor it with ^ or $.
What This Regex Does
- Matches when one of the named brand examples and one of the commercial modifiers both appear.
- Covers both word orders by repeating the grouped logic.
- Creates a true two-condition query filter without unsupported lookarounds.
What it does not match
- spicy metrics guide - The brand example appears, but no pricing or review term is present.
- pricing for seo tools - A commercial modifier appears, but none of the named brand examples do.
Edge Cases
- This is best suited to controlled vocabularies rather than huge keyword lists.
- If the same term can belong to both groups, simplify the pattern before relying on the report.
Example Matches Table
| Query | Match | Why |
|---|---|---|
| spicy metrics pricing | Match | Contains one named brand example and one commercial modifier. |
| reviews of looker studio | Match | The brand example and reviews both appear, even though the order is reversed. |
| spicy metrics guide | No | The brand example appears, but no pricing or review term is present. |
| pricing for seo tools | No | A commercial modifier appears, but none of the named brand examples do. |
How to Use This in Google Search Console
- Open Performance and go to Search results.
- Click Add filter and choose Query.
- Select Custom (regex).
- Paste the regex and click Apply.
When to Use This
- Find queries where two modifier families overlap.
- Build tighter competitive or branded commercial segments.
- Reduce the need for multiple broad filters that overcount traffic.
Pro Tips
- Because GSC regex matches partially, you can combine grouped terms without anchoring the whole query.
- Keep each term family small and intentional or the pattern becomes hard to trust.
- When the output gets noisy, split the pattern back into simpler filters and compare.
- Use exports to see which term combinations actually appear most often.
Variations
Add comparison modifiers
Expands the second condition set with another commercial modifier.
Related Regex Recipes
Regex for Competitor + Brand Queries
Use this regex to isolate queries where users mention both your brand and a competitor, regardless of whether they say vs explicitly.
Regex for Comparison Queries
Use this regex to isolate comparison queries in GSC when you want a focused SERP-feature segment built around direct evaluation language.
CTA
Regex is only the first step. The real bottleneck is turning manual filters into a repeatable workflow your team actually uses. Spicy Metrics helps you move from ad hoc filtering to operational SEO workflows.
Move beyond manual regex work