Intro
Group overlapping keyword families in GSC so you can review where similar modifiers and topics create page competition or muddled targeting.
Use this regex to isolate overlapping keyword families in GSC when you want to review how related modifier sets distribute across pages.
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 a broad set of overlapping editorial and commercial modifiers.
- Creates a first-pass segment for overlap analysis.
- Helps you spot where adjacent keyword families are spread across multiple URLs.
What it does not match
- seo tutorial basics - Tutorial only matches in the broader variation.
- seo basics free - No grouped overlap modifier appears.
Edge Cases
- Overlapping keywords are not always a problem; sometimes they reflect a healthy content portfolio.
- Use page-level outcomes before deciding whether overlap is harmful.
Example Matches Table
| Query | Match | Why |
|---|---|---|
| best crm pricing | Match | Contains best and pricing, which can overlap across multiple commercial pages. |
| seo guide vs tutorial | Match | Contains guide and vs, creating a useful overlap-review pattern. |
| seo tutorial basics | No | Tutorial only matches in the broader variation. |
| seo basics free | No | No grouped overlap modifier appears. |
How to Use This in Google Search Console
- Open Performance and review both Queries and Pages.
- Add a Query filter with Custom (regex).
- Paste the regex and click Apply.
- Compare the resulting query set against the pages appearing most often.
When to Use This
- Review where adjacent keyword families compete across pages.
- Spot muddled targeting between editorial and commercial content.
- Support consolidation and clearer keyword mapping.
Pro Tips
- This broad overlap view is best used as a triage layer before narrower page-by-page review.
- Mixed modifiers can reveal unclear content positioning more than true cannibalisation.
- Use exported page-query pairs when the overlap is too large to inspect inside GSC.
- Refine the regex if one modifier family overwhelms the rest.
Variations
Include tutorial overlap
Expands the overlap segment to another common content format.
Related Regex Recipes
Regex for Duplicate Intent Queries
Use this regex to organise duplicate-intent reviews in GSC by grouping common informational and evaluative formats that often overlap across content.
Regex for Keyword Cannibalisation Patterns
Use this regex as a practical cannibalisation review slice when similar modifiers are spread across multiple pages and need comparison.
CTA
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