SEO: How to Use Google Search Console Regex to Find AI Search Prompts Your Competitors Are Missing

SEO is evolving because the way people search is evolving.

Instead of typing a few keywords into Google, people are asking complete questions, describing their problems in detail, and using AI tools like ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Gemini, and Perplexity to find answers.

For businesses, this means traditional SEO isn't enough. Your website needs to provide clear, trustworthy, and well-structured content that search engines and AI assistants can understand and recommend.

Want your website to rank higher in search and AI-generated results? Explore our professional SEO services to build a stronger online presence, attract qualified traffic, and stay ahead as search continues to evolve.

Finding AI-Powered Search Queries with Regex

Not long ago, someone looking for SEO advice might have searched for:

Shopify SEO

Today, they're more likely to ask:

How do I improve the SEO of my Shopify store without hiring a digital marketing agency?

These longer, more conversational searches are exactly the type of queries that modern search engines and AI assistants are designed to understand because they reflect real questions from real people.

Here's the interesting part...

Many of these AI-style searches are already hiding in your own Google Search Console data. Most business owners never notice them because they're buried among thousands of search queries.

Fortunately, there's an easy way to uncover them. It's called Regex. Despite the technical name, you don't need to be a developer or SEO expert to use it. With just a few copy-and-paste Regex filters, you can quickly discover:

• AI-style conversational searches

• Long-tail questions your customers are already asking

• Comparison searches

• Beginner-focused topics

• Buying-intent keywords

• FAQ opportunities

  
  

Instead of guessing what content to create next, you can use the exact language your audience is already searching for. That means creating content that's more useful for both traditional Google Search and today's AI-powered search experiences.

Let's see how it works.

What Is Regex?

Regex (short for Regular Expression) is simply a way to search for patterns instead of individual words.

Think of it like using advanced search filters. Instead of searching for only the word:

Shopify

Regex lets you search for:

• every query that starts with "how"

• every question someone asked

• searches containing "vs"

• searches that mention "best"

• searches with 10 or more words

• and much more.

  
  

Don't worry…you don't need to learn programming to use these filters. You can simply copy and paste them into Google Search Console.

Why Business Owners Should Care

Every search query inside Google Search Console comes from a real person who found your website in Google Search. That means you're not guessing what people want to know;

you're looking at actual searches your business already appears for.

Regex helps you organize those queries into meaningful groups, making it easier to identify common questions, uncover content opportunities, and understand what your audience is really searching for.

Instead of brainstorming topics, you can let your customers tell you what to write.

How to Access Regex in Google Search Console

1. Open Google Search Console.

2. Select your website.

3. Go to Performance → Search Results.

4. Choose a date range (12 months usually provides the best data).

5. Click + Add Filter.

6. Select Query.

7. Change the dropdown from Queries containing to Custom (Regex).

8. Paste one of the expressions below. For example, to find questions people ask, use custom regex expression

^(who|what|where|when|why|how|can|does|do|is|are|should|will|which)\b.* :

9. Click Apply.

Within seconds, Search Console will filter thousands of search queries into exactly the type of information you're looking for.

Tip: Sort the filtered results by Impressions, not Clicks.

When you're researching new content ideas, impressions are often more valuable than clicks. A query with thousands of impressions but few clicks means that Google is already showing your website for that topic, yet it may just need better content or a stronger title to earn more traffic. Sorting by impressions helps you spot high-potential opportunities first.

Before You Start: Choose Branded or Non-Branded Searches

Before applying a Regex filter, think about what type of searches you want to analyze.

Google Search Console lets you filter your data to focus on either:

Branded searches. These include your business name, product names, or other branded terms.

Examples:

• Adept Marketing Solutions SEO

• Shopify pricing

• WordPress download

  
  

Branded searches are useful for understanding what existing customers or people already familiar with your business are looking for.

Non-branded searches. These are searches that don't mention your business name.

Examples:

• SEO tips for small businesses

• Best website builder

• How to improve local SEO

  
  

If your goal is to discover new content ideas, non-branded searches are often more valuable because they reveal the questions people ask before they know about your business.

For many businesses, it's worth trying both filters. This way, you may uncover different opportunities depending on the audience you're analyzing.

1. Find Long-Tail Searches

One of the best ways to discover article ideas is to look for longer searches.

People asking detailed questions often have specific problems they need solved.

Use this Regex:

^(?:\S+\s+){9,}\S+$

This shows searches with ten or more words.

Example

Instead of seeing:

Shopify SEO

you may discover:

how do I improve Shopify product SEO without hiring an agency

That's an entire article title.

These longer searches have become even more valuable as AI-powered search and voice search continue to grow.

2. Find Every Question People Ask

Questions make fantastic blog articles because they're already written the way your audience thinks.

Use:

^(who|what|where|when|why|how|can|does|do|is|are|should|will|which)\b.*

You'll discover searches like:

• How do I speed up my WordPress website?

• Why is my Wix website not ranking?

• Can Shopify improve SEO?

Each one can become:

• a blog article

• an FAQ

• a YouTube video

• a social media post

• a customer email

One question can fuel content across multiple channels.

3. Discover Comparison Articles

Comparison content often attracts visitors who are close to making a decision.

Use:

.*(vs|versus|compare|comparison|better than|alternative).*

Examples include:

• Shopify vs WordPress

• Wix vs Squarespace

• WooCommerce alternatives

• Best website builder for small businesses

These searches usually indicate that someone is actively researching their options.

4. Find "Best" and Buying Intent Searches

People searching for "best," "pricing," or "reviews" are often much closer to becoming customers.

Use:

.*(best|top|cheap|affordable|pricing|cost|review|reviews).*

Examples:

• Best website builder for beginners

• Shopify pricing

• WordPress review

• Affordable SEO tools

These searches are ideal for comparison guides and educational articles that help readers make informed decisions.

5. Find Beginner-Friendly Topics

Not everyone is an SEO expert.

Many visitors are simply trying to learn something new.

Use:

.*(beginner|basics|guide|tutorial|learn|getting started).*

Examples:

• SEO guide for beginners

• Learn WordPress

• Shopify tutorial

• Getting started with Google Analytics

Educational content builds trust and often performs well over time.

6. Find "Why" Searches

People searching "why" are looking for explanations rather than quick answers.

Use:

^why.*

Examples:

• Why is my website slow?

• Why isn't Google indexing my pages?

• Why did my rankings drop?

These articles position your business as a trusted expert rather than someone simply trying to make a sale.

7. Find "How-To" Searches

One of the most valuable types of content you can create is practical advice.

Use:

^how.*

Examples:

• How to improve website speed

• How to optimize Shopify product pages

• How to choose a domain name

Helpful how-to content often continues attracting visitors for months or even years.

8. Find Searches Containing "Can"

These searches reveal uncertainty.

People are looking for reassurance before taking action.

Use:

.*\bcan\b.*

Examples:

• Can Wix rank on Google?

• Can Shopify handle large product catalogs?

• Can AI write blog posts?

Articles answering these questions help remove doubts that might otherwise stop someone from becoming a customer.

Why Regex Is Such a Powerful SEO Tool

In the age of AI-powered search, it's no longer just about targeting keywords. Regex helps you uncover patterns in what your audience is already searching for, making it easier to create content that answers multiple related questions in a single article.

So instead of guessing what to write next, you can build content around real search data from your Google Search Console.

It's one of the easiest ways to discover SEO opportunities, improve topical authority, and create content that's useful for both Google Search and AI-powered search without relying on third-party keyword tools.

Regex Mistakes to Avoid

Regex is incredibly useful, but there are a few common mistakes that can make it seem like it's not working.

Forgetting to Change the Filter to "Custom (Regex)"

This is the most common mistake.

Simply adding a Regex expression into the regular "Queries containing" filter won't work.

Always change the dropdown to Custom (Regex) before pasting your expression.

Expecting Regex to Create New Data

Regex doesn't generate new search queries.

It simply organizes the data that's already in your Search Console account.

If your website is new or has very little search traffic, some filters may return few or no results. As your website gains visibility, these filters become much more valuable.

Looking at Too Short of a Date Range

If you're only viewing the last seven days, you may miss valuable search patterns.

For content research, a 12-month date range usually provides the clearest picture because it captures seasonal searches and a much larger sample of user queries.

Assuming Every Query Needs Its Own Blog Post

One of the biggest SEO mistakes is creating dozens of articles that answer nearly the same question.

If you notice several similar searches, consider writing one comprehensive guide instead.

For example, instead of publishing separate articles about:

• How to improve Shopify SEO

• How to optimize Shopify products

• Shopify SEO tips

you could create one in-depth resource covering all three topics.

Comprehensive content often performs better because it satisfies a wider range of related searches.

Ignoring Search Intent

Not every query deserves a blog post.

Some searches are better answered with:

• an FAQ section

• a service page

• a product page

• a comparison page

• a video tutorial

Always think about what the searcher is really trying to accomplish before deciding what type of content to create.

For example:

Search Query	Content Opportunity
How do I speed up a WordPress website?	Blog tutorial
Why isn't my Shopify store ranking?	SEO guide
Can Wix rank on Google?	FAQ article

Regex helps you discover opportunities, but it's your understanding of your audience that turns those opportunities into valuable content.

As you browse filtered queries, ask yourself:

• Could several of these questions be answered in one comprehensive guide?

• Are people asking something I don't currently cover on my website?

• Would this topic make a helpful FAQ?

• Is there an opportunity to update an older article instead of writing a new one?

Sometimes your next high-performing article is already sitting inside Google Search Console, you just haven't looked at your data from the right angle yet.

Final Thoughts: Turn Search Data Into Smarter Content

Google Search Console is more than a reporting tool; it's a direct line to your audience.

By using Regex filters, you can uncover the questions, comparisons, and conversational searches that real people are already using to find businesses like yours. Those insights can help you create content that's useful not only for traditional Google Search but also for AI-powered experiences like Google's AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Gemini, and other answer engines that prioritize clear, helpful information.

The best content ideas aren't always found in expensive keyword tools. Sometimes they're already sitting in your own Search Console account; you just need to know how to find them.

If you'd like a second set of eyes on your Search Console data, we're happy to help. At Adept Marketing Solutions, we regularly perform Search Console content audits to identify overlooked opportunities, improve existing pages, and uncover topics that can strengthen your visibility in both search engines and AI-generated results.

No guesswork. Just practical insights based on the data your website is already collecting.