Let’s be honest: Google Search is changing rapidly. The new interplay of SEO, AIO and GEO factors brings new requirements for our work. With the introduction of AI Overviews (AIOs), direct answers to user questions are more important than ever. For us as SEOs and content creators, this means we need to know exactly which questions, comparisons and informational queries our target audience is asking.
The best news? These gold nuggets are already in your GSC – you just need to know how to extract them.
In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to use a single powerful Regex command to uncover all potentially AIO-triggering queries. This will turn your overwhelming data graveyard into a sharp content strategy based on real user questions.
And that’s just the beginning: With the right Regex commands you can not only identify AIO triggers but also cluster search intent, uncover SERP opportunities, and systematically close content gaps. In short: Regex is your Swiss Army knife for Google Search Console.
If you want to learn more, check out my Regex Playbook with 24+ Copy-Paste Templates for SEOs.
Why this Regex command and not a simple filter?
Forget simple “contains” filters. To capture the full spectrum of user intent, we need a command that recognizes more than just classic “W-questions.”
The big advantage of this Regex is that it detects different types of questions that are highly likely to trigger AI Overviews:
- Classic W-questions: “how”, “what”, “why”…
- Implicit questions & commands: “guide”, “definition”, “show me”…
- Comparison queries: “vs”, “versus”, “or”…
- Confirmation & possibility questions: “can”, “is”, “does”, “are there”…
This command is your Swiss Army knife for analyzing informational queries.
The core: Your Regex code for GSC
Copy this code. It’s all you need for the following analysis.
(?i)^(how|what|why|when|where|which|who|whom|whose|how many|how much|can|may|might|must|should|could|would|do|does|did|have|has|had|am|are|is|was|were|will|difference|compare|comparison|guide|how[-\s]?to|definition|explain|show|list|recipe|is there|are there|what are|what is|how does)\b|\b(vs\.?|versus|or)\b
Regex explained in detail
You don’t need to understand every bit, but a quick look under the hood builds trust in why this is so effective.
| Category | Keywords captured | Explanation & examples |
|---|---|---|
| Start keywords | ^(how|what|why|...) |
The ^ ensures only queries starting with these question words are captured.Example: “How does a heat pump work?” |
| Imperatives & commands | explain, show, list, difference, compare, guide, definition, recipe |
Captures queries asking for instructions or direct explanations. Examples: “Difference between SEO and SEA”, “Guide to tie a tie” |
| Comparisons (mid-query) | \b(vs|versus|or)\b |
Catches comparison terms often in the middle of queries. \b ensures only whole words.Examples: “iPhone vs Samsung”, “Tea or Coffee” |
| Common question phrases | is there, are there, what are, how does... |
Captures very frequent question phrases. Examples: “Is there life on Mars?”, “What are SEO basics?” |
| Verbs for completeness | can, may, should, will, does, is... |
Ensures full coverage of modal and auxiliary verbs. Examples: “Can dogs eat apples?”, “Will it rain tomorrow?” |
Step-by-step: How to apply Regex in GSC
Follow these four steps:
- Open Performance Report
Go to your Google Search Console → Performance > Search results. - Add filter
Click + New Filter and select Query.
Source: Google Search Console - Select Regex filter
In the dropdown, switch from “Query containing” to Custom (Regex).
Source: Google Search Console - Insert Regex & apply
Paste the Regex code into the field and hit Apply.
Source: Google Search Console
Done! GSC now shows you a filtered list of queries highly likely to trigger AI Overviews.
What this filtered list really gives you
This isn’t just a keyword list. It’s a direct window into your users’ minds.
You now see exactly what your audience really wants to know:
- Explicit questions: “How does a heat pump work?”
- Implicit questions: “Guide to tying a tie”
- Comparisons: “iPhone 15 vs Samsung S24”
- Definitions: “Definition semantic SEO”
- Problem-solving: “What to do for headaches?”
Each of these queries signals high informational intent. Users want quick, precise, and comprehensive answers.
Your next steps: From results to action
Data is only useful when you act on it. Here are 3 concrete moves:
- Run a content gap analysis
Check the list. Which questions or comparisons are not yet covered? Create a priority list → your roadmap for new articles. - Optimize existing content
If you already have matching content:- Use the query as a heading (
<h2>or<h3>). - Give a concise direct answer (40–60 words) immediately below. Perfect for featured snippets & AIOs.
- Structure for readability: bullet points, lists, tables (esp. for comparisons).
- Use the query as a heading (
- Create targeted new content
For top unanswered questions, create new, highly relevant content structured from the start for AIO:- Begin with the direct answer.
- Then go deeper with related follow-up questions → build semantic depth.
- Add an FAQ schema markup to clearly signal questions/answers to Google.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
What if the Regex filter returns too many or irrelevant results?
Combine it with another filter (e.g. “Query contains your core topic”) to narrow results.
Does this Regex work for other languages?
No. It’s optimized for English. For other languages, translate the question words (“how, what, why…”) accordingly.
Is this Regex error-prone?
No, as long as you paste it correctly. Don’t add spaces at the beginning or end.
Does this guarantee AI Overview placement?
No guarantee. But you massively increase your chances by creating exactly the type of content Google needs for AIOs: direct, precise, structured answers to real queries.
Conclusion: Stop guessing, start knowing!
The AI Overview era rewards those who truly understand and serve user intent. With this simple Regex for GSC, you now have a powerful tool to do just that. Shift your focus from mere keywords to strategically answering user questions. Stop guessing what your users want. Find out – and give them the best answer.
