Intro
Track year-modified searches in GSC so you can isolate freshness-led demand tied to current-year content and updates.
Use this regex to capture current-year queries in Search Console when users explicitly search for fresh lists, guides, or comparisons.
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.
\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 listed standalone years.
- Surfaces freshness-led demand where recency matters.
- Helps audit whether updated content captures year-modified searches.
What it does not match
- best seo tools 2023 - 2023 is not included in the current pattern.
- best seo tools - No year modifier appears.
Edge Cases
- The regex only matches the years you explicitly include, so refresh it as part of your content maintenance process.
- Because of partial matching in GSC, the year can appear anywhere in the query.
Example Matches Table
| Query | Match | Why |
|---|---|---|
| best seo tools 2026 | Match | Contains one of the listed years. |
| casino bonus comparison 2025 | Match | The query includes a listed year modifier. |
| best seo tools 2023 | No | 2023 is not included in the current pattern. |
| best seo tools | No | No year 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
- Measure recency-led search demand in one segment.
- Audit whether refreshed pages win current-year queries.
- Compare year-modified CTR against evergreen queries.
Pro Tips
- Update the year list regularly instead of leaving stale years in the core regex.
- Pair this with page filters to see which updated URLs attract recency demand.
- Compare current-year demand with evergreen pages to find refresh priorities.
- Use a variation to add the next year before search demand ramps up.
Variations
Add the next year
Extends the pattern when you want to track the next year's demand early.
Related Regex Recipes
Regex for "New" Queries
Use this regex to capture queries containing the standalone word new when users explicitly want something recent or newly released.
Regex for Emerging Trends
Use this regex to isolate trend-sensitive queries in GSC when you want a fast view of emerging demand patterns and freshness-led search behaviour.
CTA
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