Intro
Isolate guide-modified searches in GSC so you can track demand for more complete educational resources.
Use this regex to focus on guide queries in GSC when users signal they want a more complete resource rather than a quick answer.
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 that contain the standalone word guide.
- Uses word boundaries so it does not match unrelated strings such as guidewire.
- Highlights demand for deeper educational or onboarding content.
What it does not match
- guided setup for gsc - Guided is not the standalone word guide.
- regex tutorial - Educational intent is present, but guide is not.
Edge Cases
- Because this is not anchored, guide can appear anywhere in the query and still match.
- Word boundaries prevent partial-string matches, which keeps the segment cleaner.
Example Matches Table
| Query | Match | Why |
|---|---|---|
| search console regex guide | Match | Contains the standalone word guide. |
| brand segmentation guide | Match | Includes guide as a separate term. |
| guided setup for gsc | No | Guided is not the standalone word guide. |
| regex tutorial | No | Educational intent is present, but guide is not. |
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 how well long-form educational content performs.
- Identify topics where users want a fuller resource.
- Compare guide demand against tutorial or FAQ demand.
Pro Tips
- Word boundaries matter here, otherwise you can match unrelated terms accidentally.
- Add walkthrough if that is common language in your vertical.
- Use page filters to see whether blog or documentation pages win these searches.
- Compare guide CTR against tutorial CTR to refine content format choices.
Variations
Include plural and walkthrough terms
Broadens the segment to capture similar long-form educational modifiers.
Related Regex Recipes
Regex for "Tutorial" Queries
Use this regex to isolate tutorial searches in GSC when you want to find instructional content demand framed explicitly as a tutorial.
Regex for Educational Queries
Use this regex to capture a wider educational query set in GSC when you want a practical top-of-funnel segment that includes multiple informational modifiers.
CTA
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