Intro
Track consideration-stage searches in GSC so you can measure the middle of the funnel where users weigh options but have not made a final decision.
Use this regex to isolate consideration-stage queries in GSC when searchers are actively evaluating options and narrowing the field.
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.
?
The question mark usually makes the previous character or group optional. That is handy when a query modifier appears inconsistently.
\b
Backslash-b marks a word boundary. It helps stop short terms from matching inside longer words in GSC queries.
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 common evaluation and shortlist modifiers.
- Captures a middle-funnel stage between awareness and decision intent.
- Supports reporting on comparison pages, reviews, and core commercial pages.
What it does not match
- what is search console regex - This is awareness-stage learning intent.
- buy seo dashboard software - This is stronger transactional intent.
Edge Cases
- Consideration-stage terms can overlap with decision-stage terms, especially around pricing and reviews.
- This is best treated as a reporting segment first, then refined further if you need stricter stages.
Example Matches Table
| Query | Match | Why |
|---|---|---|
| best seo reporting tools | Match | Best is a clear consideration-stage signal. |
| gsc dashboard alternatives | Match | Alternatives shows the user is comparing shortlisted options. |
| what is search console regex | No | This is awareness-stage learning intent. |
| buy seo dashboard software | No | This is stronger transactional intent. |
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 middle-funnel visibility where users compare solutions.
- Audit how commercial landing pages capture evaluation demand.
- Split consideration-stage traffic from awareness and purchase traffic.
Pro Tips
- Pricing can sit in both consideration and decision-stage segments depending on your model, so compare both views.
- Feature-led searches are often useful in SaaS markets, so keep that as a variation.
- Pair this with competitor recipes to understand who appears in evaluation SERPs.
- Use export data to split this stage into review, comparison, and alternatives clusters.
Variations
Include feature-led evaluation
Adds another common mid-funnel modifier used when people compare functionality.
Related Regex Recipes
Regex for Commercial Intent
Use this regex to isolate commercial intent in GSC when searchers are evaluating options but are not yet fully transactional.
Regex for Decision Stage Queries
Use this regex to isolate decision-stage queries in GSC when searchers are validating the final details before taking action.
CTA
Building query segments manually in GSC works for one-off checks, but it breaks down across multiple sites and stakeholders. Spicy Metrics keeps those segments organised and easy to monitor.
Scale segmentation in Spicy Metrics