Intro
Isolate near me searches in GSC so you can measure explicit local-intent demand without mixing it into broader service queries.
Use this regex to capture near me queries in GSC when searchers want a local option close to their current location.
The Regex
How This Regex Works (Explained Simply)
\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 the exact phrase near me.
- Surfaces one of the clearest local-intent modifiers in query data.
- Helps you compare explicit proximity demand against city or postcode searches.
What it does not match
- dentist nearby - Nearby only matches in the variation.
- dentist london - This is local, but it does not use the near me phrase.
Edge Cases
- This catches only the exact near me phrasing, not all local-intent searches.
- Near me queries often overlap with map-pack behaviour, so clicks can vary by device and SERP layout.
Example Matches Table
| Query | Match | Why |
|---|---|---|
| dentist near me | Match | Contains the exact phrase near me. |
| seo agency near me | Match | Near me appears intact in the query. |
| dentist nearby | No | Nearby only matches in the variation. |
| dentist london | No | This is local, but it does not use the near me phrase. |
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
- Track proximity-led local demand.
- Compare near me searches against city-led local intent.
- Audit whether location and service pages capture explicit local modifiers.
Pro Tips
- Keep near me separate from city and postcode patterns so each local-intent type stays readable.
- Near me demand often behaves differently on mobile, so segment by device if possible.
- Use page filters to see whether local landing pages or generic pages capture the traffic.
- Add nearby only if it genuinely appears in your dataset.
Variations
Include nearby phrasing
Adds another proximity term often used in local searches.
Related Regex Recipes
Regex for City-Based Queries
Use this regex to isolate city-based searches in GSC when your reporting needs to focus on explicit city modifiers in the query.
Regex for Local Service Queries
Use this regex to isolate local service-type searches in GSC when you want a service-category segment that can be combined with location filters later.
CTA
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