Intro
Isolate top and best searches in GSC so you can report on one of the clearest list-based and comparison-heavy SERP patterns.
Use this regex to capture top and best modifiers in GSC when you want a tight segment built around ranking-style queries.
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 standalone words top and best.
- Creates a narrower set than broader listicle or commercial segments.
- Supports cleaner tracking of comparison and ranking-style SERPs.
What it does not match
- leading local seo tools - Leading only matches in the variation.
- seo dashboard pricing - This is commercial, but it does not use top or best.
Edge Cases
- Top and best can span both editorial and commercial intent, so landing-page analysis is important.
- These modifiers are short and broad, which makes post-filter review especially useful.
Example Matches Table
| Query | Match | Why |
|---|---|---|
| best seo dashboard | Match | Contains best as a standalone ranking modifier. |
| top local seo tools | Match | Contains top, which is included in the grouped terms. |
| leading local seo tools | No | Leading only matches in the variation. |
| seo dashboard pricing | No | This is commercial, but it does not use top or best. |
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 ranking-style demand in a focused segment.
- Compare best/top queries against reviews and direct comparisons.
- Track whether roundup pages capture the strongest list-based demand.
Pro Tips
- Top and best are often highly competitive, so review CTR and position together.
- Use this alongside commercial-intent reporting because the audiences often overlap.
- Keep this narrower than your listicle segment if you want a more defensible best/top view.
- Watch for intent differences between best software queries and best how-to queries.
Variations
Include leading phrasing
Adds another ranking-style modifier sometimes used in B2B searches.
Related Regex Recipes
Regex for Listicle Queries
Use this regex to isolate listicle-style query modifiers in GSC when users want ranked options, examples, or curated lists.
Regex for Commercial Intent
Use this regex to isolate commercial intent in GSC when searchers are evaluating options but are not yet fully transactional.
CTA
Building query segments manually in GSC works for one-off checks, but it breaks down across multiple sites and stakeholders. Spicy Metrics keeps those segments organised and easy to monitor.
Scale segmentation in Spicy Metrics