Regular Expression (Regex) for marketers: What can be used in GA4/GSC?

The real problem in life: "All information ... but can't be used!"

Every marketer! Have you ever felt like this? Open Google Analytics 4 (GA4) or Google Search Console (GSC) and found great information, including Page, Keyword, Traffic Source. Would like to analyze specific data, such as "want to see the performer of all the running products" or "would like to see what the word 'or the' 'promotion' discount. And a lot of people clicking in. "But can only gradually filter, look at URL one by one, or one word at a time. Finally gave up Let the in -depth data (Insight) slip away unfortunately.

Sitting and watching the information one by one is like trying to tail in the ocean. In addition to waste time May also make you make a mistake Because he could not see the true overview of all the information

-Prompt for illustrations: Marketer images are making a headache in a computer screen that is full of data tables and graphs on Google Analytics, with a question mark (?) Around to convey confusion and overwhelming information-

Why does that problem occur: Basic filter limitations

The main reason that makes us difficult to analyze complex data. It is because the basic filters in GA4 and GSC are designed for simple matching. Frankly, such as:

• Exact Match (in all respects): must only put the exact URL or Keyword
• Contains (with the word ...): a little wider But if wanting to see information from 2 conditions at the same time (such as the duty of 'shoes' or 'Sneaker'), it cannot be done in one filter.
• Starts with (beginning with ...): Useful, but if your URL structure is not the same, all the news ends.

These tools are not created to "understand" relationships or "patterns" of complex information by yourself. It is therefore our duty to enter. "Special language" that will make these tools smarter And that language is Regular Expression , which we call "Regex" .

- Prompt for illustrations: comparison of the 'Contains' filter that can only be filtered. With the concept of filters that can combine many conditions (such as' OR 'OR' Shoes) But there is a red cross mark Media that basic filters can't do -

If left, how will it affect?: The invisible cost of superficial analysis.

Ignoring the use of data analysis tools like Regex is not just making us work slower. But it directly affects the business in many dimensions:

• Waste of time and resources: You have to waste several hours to export. Continue to do on Google Sheets or Excel to filter and analyze the actual data. And can finish in a few clicks on GA4/GSC
• Missed a business opportunity: You may not really see that Then the product group "Short -sleeved jeans" are currently popular with Keyword that you never care about. Or may not know that all the blog articles related to "Tree" methods are creating good quality traffic, looking for court
• Misunderstanding: Analysis of incomplete data May lead to the wrong strategy, such as spending a budget with a campaign that is not as effective as it should be.
• Can't answer business questions: When the management asks "How is the sales of all promotions in the previous month?" You may have to take the day to collect data. Instead of answering immediately

Not using Regex is like having a sports car but only 20 KM/H drives. There is a good tool in the hand. But didn't pull out its potential Learning this is therefore very important. Especially when working with a lot of information on the Google Search Console that is full of opportunities

- Prompt for illustrations: Line graph images With a silver icon and a missing watch Convey the loss of opportunities, time, and funds from ineffective data analysis -

Is there any solution? And where should it start: Get to know the "The god of order"

The solution of this problem is to learn to use Regular Expression (Regex) ! Simply put, Regex is the "command set" or "language" that we use to determine the "form" of the text that we want to search or match. It is more powerful than the 'Contains' or 'Exact Match' filter.

And where will it start?

The heart is "You don't have to try to memorize everything." ! Start by understanding the concepts and learning the basic symbols that are frequently used first, with simple steps:

1. Clear goals: What information do you want to filter? For example, "All Page pages in Folder /Blog /" or "Keyword all that have the word 'method' or 'How to'"
2. Looking for the pattern (Pattern): Observe your URL or Keyword that there are things that are the same, such as beginning with the same word, ending as well. Or have similar structures
3. Learn the basic symbol: Get to know the "hero" of Regex that is used a few frequently. (Which we will explain in the next topic)
4. Create and test: Try to create a simple Regex condition and then test in GA4/GSC or use help to help . Regex101 to see if it works correctly or not.

Just start this model You will be able to unlock the ability to analyze the more complex data. For those who want to extend up to advance, such as programmatic SEO. Regex knowledge is considered a very strong foundation.

- Prompt for illustrations: Bright light bulb images In the light bulb, there is a letter "Regex" inside. The bottom is a picture of a person walking up the stairs one by step. The step is that 1. Goal 2. Pattern 3. Learn 4. Test convey the start of learning and not too difficult -

Examples from the real thing that used to be achieved: Recex sales in GSC.

In order to see more clearly I would like to lift the true case of the E-Commerce store that sells sports equipment. Formerly, the marketing team tried to analyze the Performance of "Men's Running Shoes" in the Google Search Console, but the problem is that the URL of this group does not have a fixed form.

What to do: Marketing team uses Regex in GSC filters by specifying Page Custom (Regex) and adding commands: /products/.sun.*|/collection/.sun.*

• The meaning is: "Please show all URLs that begin with / products / and have the word Run in it or (|) Every URL that starts with / collection / and has the word Run in it."

Results: In less than a minute They can see the overall performance of all of the running shoes, and the Insight is important, "There are many people searching and clicking from Keyword. The 'Running Shoes reduced a lot of shocks'." But they have very little products and content that talks about this!

From this information, they quickly adjust the strategy. Create a blog content and improve the store to promote this group of products, resulting in a traffic that comes to 45% of the running shoe products and sales in this category grow clearly within 3 months. This is the power of seeking information that is hidden with Regex, which is part of the Ecommerce Optimization Audit that helps to find business opportunities.

- Prompt for illustrations: Clearly rising line graph The left side of the graph (before dashing) is an enlarged glasses icon that cannot be seen. On the right side of the graph (after dashing) is an enlarged glasses that shines at the word 'Insight' which is brighter. Media that using Regex helps to discover Insight and make sales grow -

If wanting to follow, what to do? (Can be used immediately): A brief Regex manual for marketers

Ready to try to create your own Regex, right? Let's see the most frequently used basic symbols in GA4 and GSC. It is not as difficult as you think!

4 symbols to know:

• | (Pipe or OR): Used instead of "or" is the most often used hero.
  Example: pants | skirts → can be paired with the word "pants" or "skirt".
• . (DOT): Can be used to replace 1 letter.
  Example: HT → will be paired with "Hat", "Hot", "Hit".
• * (Asterisk): Can be used to replace the previous letters (from 0 or more).
  Example: H.* T → will be paired with "HT", "hott", "Hollywood" (often used with DOT as " to mean" any text ")
• ^ (CARET): Used to specify that the message must "Start with ..."
  Example: ^/ Blog/ → will be paired with the URL that is beginning with/ Blog/ only

Example of actual use in GA4/GSC:

Let's say you want to analyze the following information:

1. Would like to see the traffic of every page in Blog:
   - All format: URL is all beginning with /Blog/
   - Regex used: ^/blog/
2. Would like to see the performance of the "iPhone" or "Samsung" page:
   - Format: In the URL has the word iPhone or Samsung
   - Regex used: iPhone | Samsung
3. Would like to see all Keyword about "price" or "promotion":
   - Forms seen: In Keyword has the word price or promotion
   - Regex used: Price | Promotion

Do you see that there are not complicated principles at all? Just knowing a few symbols helps you work faster and enormous. For those who are interested in working with advanced information, learning Python for SEO is another interesting step. Which has knowledge. Regex is an important basis

- Prompt for illustrations: Beautiful infographic images. Summary 4 symbols Regex (|,., *, ^) With a short explanation. And examples that are easy to understand There are icons for each symbol -

Questions that people tend to wonder And the answers that are cleared

Q: Is it a programmer to use Regex?
Answer: It is not necessary! For the work of marketers in GA4 and GSC. Knowing only 4-5 basic symbols that are recommended are enough to create a powerful filter. No need to write the code at all.

Question: Regex in GA4/GSC must print small and large. (Case-Sensitive)?
Answer: In general, Regex in Google products such as GA4 and GSC will not Case-Sensitive, meaning the iPhone or iPhone will get the same result. Makes it easier to use

Q: Where to put the Regex code in GA4?
Answer: On the Reports page or Explusions, you click on "Add Filter"> Choose the desired Dimension (such as Page Path)> in the Match Type channel to change from "Contains" to "Matches Regex" > and then put your Regex code into the Value channel.

Q: If the regex created it doesn't work. What should I do?
Answer: First, don't be shocked. Try to check this:
1. Czech spelling: Is there a wrong symbol printing?
2. Make it easy to get in: Try to reduce the complexity of the Regex one by one to find out which point is wrong.
3. Use your help : Take your code to test on the Regex101 website , which will be easier to explain and find errors
.

- Prompt for illustrations: Cartoon characters are acting "casual" and point to the Regex, GA4, GSC logo and has a green mark surrounded. The media is easy for anyone to do. Don't worry -

Summary to be easy to understand + want to try to do

At this point, I believe that everyone has already seen that Regular Expression (Regex) is no longer a distant or scary for marketers, but it is a "special power" that will help you work with information in GA4 and GSC efficiently, save time and discover hidden business opportunities like never before.

The heart is not a Regex expert in one day but is in "Dare to try". Let's start with a simple problem. That you meet every day, such as filtering the Blog page or a few keywords together And you will find that the world of data analysis will change forever.

Do not let the valuable information are just meaningless numbers anymore. It's time to unlock its potential with Regex and bring Insight to create your business! For anyone who wants to start in the right way and effectively Can see more guides about using GA4 for e-commerce .

Do it from today And you will definitely thank yourself in the future!

- Prompt for illustrations: Marketer pictures are smiling confidently. As well as pointing to the computer screen that shows the data analysis with Regex successfully on the back is a rising graph. Conveys success and confidence after doing -

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