LinkedIn Boolean search is the new hype everywhere. The name is boring, but the technique is very useful. Let’s dive straight into it.
What is LinkedIn Boolean Search?
In 19th century, George Boole, an English mathematician built a research system based on symbolic logic. It comprises 3 main logics, but we will expand it to our usability.
Linkedin Boolean Search helps you to expand or narrow your keywords.
- It brings your target profiles to the screen.
- It excludes the profiles that do not fit your target audience.
The LinkedIn Boolean Search Logics
LinkedIn Boolean search can be expanded into 5 logics or operators. Here they are.
- AND
- OR
- NOT
- Quotation Marks
- Parenthesis
Understanding these 5 logics will help you create your own keywords for finding exact target profiles across all industries.
- AND Logic
If you are searching for target profiles that are defined by two or more keywords, use AND logic.
Example:
CEO AND Technology
Marketing AND Sales
- OR Logic
Just like AND logic is used to narrow your search in specific niches, OR logic is used to widen your search.
It is used when you are searching for target profiles across two or more industries.
Example:
Marketing OR Sales
CEO OR Founder
You can also use OR Logic to search individuals who might have alternate spellings in their names.
Example:
Emilia OR Emiliya
Sometimes, OR logic can be used to search for individuals with alternate spellings in their designations or industries, or those who use acronyms.
Example:
Vice President OR VP
Chief Technology Officer OR CTO
- NOT Logic
It is used when you want to exclude profiles that do not fit your target profiles.
Example:
Director NOT Vice President
Founder NOT CEO
- Quotation Marks
It is similar to Google search. Using quotation marks in the beginning and ending of a word or phrase allows LinkedIn to search for exact titles or keywords.
You can use quotation marks when:
- The expression or title includes several words
- There are punctuations in the phrase
Example:
“V.P”
“Sales Manager’s Assistant”
- Parenthesis
Parenthesis is used as a modifier in keywords. Combining keywords and modifiers amplifies LinkedIn search results.
Example:
Copywriting AND (B2B OR B2C)
Sales AND (Fintech OR SaaS)
Combining different modifiers and logics will give you unique results every time. Remember to write the letters of logic in capital.
Uses of LinkedIn Boolean Search
From finding the right candidate for your company to landing on thousands of ideal customer profiles, LinkedIn Boolean Search can transform your network and exposure.
Here are three uses of LinkedIn Boolean Search.
- LinkedIn Sales Navigator
LinkedIn Sales Navigator uses keywords to search into the whole profile, not just the titles. It includes everything from description to about and experience.
You can include “Present” or “Past” to amplify your search by experience.
- LinkedIn Recruiter
Match the requirements of a job with exact profiles using LinkedIn Boolean Search.
You can customize the search by experience, education, location, job type, etc.
Example: Copywriter AND SaaS OR FinTech NOT Content Writer
- LinkedIn Basic
Expand your network, find like-minded individuals or connect with your ideal customers using LinkedIn Boolean Search.
Master the Art of LinkedIn Boolean Search
To maximize your search results, follow these tips.
- Write your search queries outside LinkedIn. Refine them before pasting them in the LinkedIn search bar.
- Start with smaller search queries. Gradually increase the length of your queries.
- Longer queries have a higher chance of error. Edit your queries and minimize them before posting.
And most importantly, start from single logic. Add modifiers and logics slowly to expand or narrow your search results.