How to Use Regex Filters in Tools Like Screaming Frog for Deeper Audits

Regular expressions (regex) are a powerful tool for filtering and manipulating text data. In SEO audits, using regex filters can help you uncover hidden issues on your website that might otherwise go undetected. In this article, we’ll explore how to use regex filters in tools like Screaming Frog for deeper audits.

What is Regex?

Regex (short for “regular expression”) is a pattern-matching language used to match character combinations in strings of text. It’s a way to describe a search query that can be applied to multiple inputs, making it incredibly useful for finding specific patterns in large datasets.

Why Use Regex Filters in SEO Audits?

In SEO audits, regex filters can help you:

• Find duplicate content: Identify instances where the same content is being duplicated across different pages or domains.
• Detect thin content: Pinpoint pages with little to no relevant content.
• Locate broken links: Discover internal and external links that are no longer valid.
• Identify technical SEO issues: Find errors in meta tags, header tags, and other HTML elements.

Getting Started with Regex Filters in Screaming Frog

Screaming Frog is a popular SEO audit tool that allows you to use regex filters for deeper audits. Here’s how:

Step 1: Access the Regex Filter Functionality

In Screaming Frog, navigate to the “Elements” tab and select the “Filters” dropdown menu.

Step 2: Enter Your Regex Pattern

Enter your desired regex pattern in the input field provided. For example, if you want to find all internal links that contain a specific keyword, you might enter:

<a href=".*[your_keyword].*">

Replace [your_keyword] with the actual keyword you’re searching for.

Step 3: Apply the Filter

Click the “Apply” button to apply the filter. Screaming Frog will scan your website and display only the elements that match the regex pattern.

Common Regex Patterns

Here are some common regex patterns used in SEO audits:

• Finding internal links: <a href=".*">
• Detecting meta description issues: meta name="description" content=".*"
• Locating broken images: <img src=".*.(jpg|jpeg|png)"
• Identifying duplicate content: title=".*"

Tips and Best Practices

When using regex filters in Screaming Frog, keep the following tips and best practices in mind:

• Use clear and concise patterns: Avoid using overly complex patterns that might be difficult to read or maintain.
• Test your patterns: Before applying a filter, test it on a small sample of data to ensure it produces accurate results.
• Avoid regex overkill: Don’t use regex filters as a crutch for not thoroughly examining your website’s data. Use them in conjunction with human analysis and other tools.

By mastering regex filters and incorporating them into your SEO audits, you’ll be able to uncover hidden issues on your website that might otherwise go undetected. Remember to use clear and concise patterns, test your filters, and avoid regex overkill. Happy auditing!