What is a Boolean Search and how do you use It?

Struggling to find the right profiles on LinkedIn that match your job requirements?
With Boolean Search, you can refine your search using powerful operators like AND, OR, and NOT, helping you eliminate irrelevant results and surface only the most relevant candidates. In this article, you’ll learn which Boolean operators exist and get practical tips and examples to optimize your search strategy.

What Are Boolean Search Operators?

Boolean Search uses specific operators to refine your search and improve your results. Here are the most important ones, and how to use them on LinkedIn and other platforms when sourcing candidates.

AND – Narrow your results

The AND operator ensures that all listed terms appear in the results. This is useful to make your search more specific.

Example:
Java AND Python AND "Software Engineer"
→ Returns profiles containing all three terms: "Java", "Python", and "Software Engineer".

OR – Expand your search

The OR operator includes results that contain at least one of the specified terms. This is useful when there are multiple variations of a job title or skill.

Example:
(Recruiter OR "Talent Acquisition") AND LinkedIn
→ Returns profiles with either "Recruiter" or "Talent Acquisition", combined with "LinkedIn".

NOT – Exclude irrelevant results

Use NOT to filter out unwanted terms, for example, if you want to exclude junior-level profiles.

Example:
Marketing AND (SEO OR SEA) NOT "Junior"
→ Returns profiles with "Marketing" and either "SEO" or "SEA", but excludes those mentioning "Junior".

Quotation Marks ("") – Search exact phrases

Use quotes to find exact word combinations.

Example:
"Project Manager"
→ Returns only profiles with the exact phrase "Project Manager", not variations like "Manager of Projects".

Parentheses () – Build complex queries

Parentheses allow you to combine multiple operators and structure more advanced queries.

Example:
("Software Engineer" OR Developer) AND (Java OR Python) AND NOT "Intern"
→ Finds software engineers or developers experienced in Java or Python, excluding interns.

Asterisk (*) – Wildcard for word variations (not supported on LinkedIn)

In some platforms, the asterisk helps find different variations of a word. Unfortunately, LinkedIn does not support this.

Example (on other platforms):
Manag* → Returns "Manager", "Management", "Managing", etc.

How to Build an Effective LinkedIn Boolean Search

A strong Boolean search starts with choosing the right keywords. A good first step is analyzing the profiles of people already working in similar roles at target companies. Look at how their titles are written and note common variations. This helps you make your search broader and more effective.

Synonyms and Job Title Variations

Job titles often have multiple names. Instead of just searching for “Marketing Manager,” consider also using terms like “Head of Marketing” or “Marketing Strategist.” Collaborate with the hiring manager during the intake to determine which titles are relevant. Also note that candidates may write their titles differently (e.g., “Marketing Manager” with a space), which could still lead you to great profiles.

Include Education and Companies in Your Search

Boolean isn’t limited to job titles, you can also search by education and employers. For example, if you're looking for candidates with a business degree, you might include variations like “Business Administration” or “Business Management.” Also consider keywords like “Master,” “WO,” or “University-level” depending on your region.

Use Both Dutch and English Keywords

Many professionals have their LinkedIn profile set to English, even in Dutch-speaking regions. So, include both Dutch and English terms in your query. For example:
SEO OR "Search Engine Optimization" OR Zoekmachineoptimalisatie

This expands your reach and ensures you don’t miss out on qualified candidates.

Example Boolean Search Query

Let’s say you’re looking for a marketing manager with a master’s degree, experience in SEO, and a background in B2B marketing. The role is based in the Amsterdam region, and you want to exclude candidates focused on e-commerce as well as freelancers or consultants.

Example query:
("marketingmanager" OR "marketing manager" OR "digital marketing manager" OR "marketing lead" OR "hoofd marketing" OR "head of marketing") AND ("master" OR "masteropleiding") AND ("SEO" OR "search engine optimization" OR "zoekmachineoptimalisatie") AND ("B2B" OR "business to business") AND ("Amsterdam" OR "Noord-Holland") NOT ("e-commerce" OR "freelance" OR "zzp" OR "self-employed" OR "consultant")

Tips for Effective Boolean Search

✅ Experiment with terms – Use title and skill variations to make sure you don’t miss great candidates.
✅ Use parentheses and operators wisely – A well-structured query helps surface relevant profiles and filter out noise.
✅ Keep optimizing – Refine your query based on the results you get. You may discover new terms or combinations that improve your search.

Use SourceGeek for Your Boolean Searches

On the SourceGeek platform, you can discover suggested keywords and job title variations tailored to LinkedIn. Based on your search intent and the landing page you're targeting, SourceGeek helps you craft optimized Boolean strings for more effective sourcing.