Intro
Track competitor mentions in GSC so you can measure how often your site appears around rival demand.
Use this regex to isolate competitor keywords in Search Console and see where your content earns visibility around rival tools.
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.
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 direct mentions of named competitors.
- Supports competitor-demand reporting without manual query exports.
- Makes it easier to audit which pages are attracting rival comparison searches.
What it does not match
- seo dashboard software - No grouped competitor appears in the query.
- spicy metrics pricing - This is branded demand, not competitor demand.
Edge Cases
- This pattern only matches competitors you explicitly include in the group.
- Multi-word competitor names should be written exactly as users commonly search for them.
Example Matches Table
| Query | Match | Why |
|---|---|---|
| semrush pricing | Match | Contains a named competitor from the grouped list. |
| ahrefs alternative | Match | Contains another grouped competitor term. |
| screaming frog crawl limits | Match | Contains a multi-word competitor term included in the pattern. |
| seo dashboard software | No | No grouped competitor appears in the query. |
| spicy metrics pricing | No | This is branded demand, not competitor demand. |
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
- Measure visibility around rival demand.
- Find comparison pages that attract competitor-aware users.
- Track whether competitor demand grows after launch or PR activity.
Pro Tips
- Keep the grouped competitor list updated as the market changes.
- Pair competitor queries with a page filter to see which URLs are capturing the demand.
- Compare date ranges to spot emerging competitor mentions before they become a reporting theme.
Variations
Add one more competitor
Adds another named competitor to the grouped list.
Exact competitor names only
Useful when you want the brand names only, without trailing modifiers.
Related Regex Recipes
Regex for Competitor Comparisons (vs)
Use this regex to isolate explicit comparison searches in GSC when users are evaluating your brand against a named competitor.
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 "Alternative to [Competitor]"
Use this regex to isolate replacement-intent searches that explicitly look for an alternative to a named competitor.
CTA
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Turn regex into repeatable reporting