Intro
Isolate top-modified searches in GSC so you can track listicle and ranking-style demand without mixing it with every recommendation query.
Use this regex to capture searches containing the standalone word top when users are looking for ranked lists or shortlist recommendations.
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 queries containing the standalone word top.
- Surfaces list-style and ranking-led demand.
- Gives you a narrower lens than a broader commercial-intent segment.
What it does not match
- best seo tools - Best does not match unless you broaden the regex.
- seo tools comparison - No top modifier appears.
Edge Cases
- Top on its own can still appear in navigational or topical phrases, so review landing pages before over-interpreting it.
- The word boundary keeps topics and topical out of the match.
Example Matches Table
| Query | Match | Why |
|---|---|---|
| top seo tools | Match | Contains top as a standalone modifier. |
| top casino affiliate programs | Match | Top appears directly in the query. |
| best seo tools | No | Best does not match unless you broaden the regex. |
| seo tools comparison | No | No top modifier appears. |
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 listicle demand in one reporting view.
- Compare top and best modifiers separately before combining them.
- Audit whether ranking-style content captures these searches.
Pro Tips
- Top queries often align with listicle SERPs, so review content format as well as intent.
- Keep this separate from best if you want cleaner modifier-level reporting.
- Use page filters to find whether category pages or editorial pages win these clicks.
- Export this set and compare it against review-led demand.
Variations
Combine top and best
Merges the two strongest shortlist modifiers into one view.
Related Regex Recipes
Regex for "Best" Queries
Use this regex to capture queries containing the standalone word best when you want a clean view of recommendation-led demand in Search Console.
Regex for Listicle Queries
Use this regex to isolate listicle-style query modifiers in GSC when users want ranked options, examples, or curated lists.
CTA
Regex is powerful in GSC, but manual filtering still leaves you exporting, comparing, and rebuilding the same views. Spicy Metrics turns those segments into reporting your team can reuse.
Turn regex into repeatable reporting