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Often seasoned users overlook one of its best-kept secrets in Sales Navigator: Boolean search. Mastering Boolean search can transform how you prospect. Whether you’re trying to reach a VP in a specific industry or filter out the noise in your search results, Boolean logic lets you do it faster and smarter. Here’s how to use Boolean like a pro:

 

💡 What Is Boolean Search?

Boolean search uses a combination of keywords and operators like AND, OR, NOT, and quotes ("") to include, combine, or exclude search terms. When used properly in Sales Navigator, it helps you find the right people, faster. Think of it as logic-based filtering that sharpens your results without endlessly adjusting drop-down filters.

 

🛠️️ Key Boolean Operators:

  • NOT searches: Type the word NOT (capital letters) immediately before a search term to exclude it from your search results. This typically limits your search results. For example, "sales NOT manager".

  • OR searches: Type the word OR (capital letters) to see results that include one or more items in a list. This typically broadens your search results. For example, "sales OR marketing OR advertising”.

  • AND searches: AND searches: Type the word AND (capital letters) to see results that include all items in a list. This typically limits your search results. For example, "accountant AND finance AND CPA".

  • Quotes ("") – This will allow you to search for exact phrases.
    Example: “product marketing manager”

  • Parentheses () – Combine multiple terms and control the order.
    Example: (“CMO” OR “VP Marketing”) AND SaaS NOT Intern

 

Pro Tip: Save Your Search! Once you build a search with Boolean that delivers great results, click “Save Search.” Sales Navigator will send you alerts when new profiles match your criteria — a consistent source of fresh leads.

 

🎯 Where Can You Use Boolean in Sales Navigator?

Boolean logic only works in specific keyword-based fields. In Sales Navigator, you can use Boolean search in fields like Job Title, Company, and Keywords. These areas allow for greater precision when you're trying to include or exclude certain roles, industries, or terms. However, keep in mind it won’t work in structured filters like Industry, Function, or Seniority level as those use pre-set dropdowns.

 

 

Mastering Boolean search in Sales Navigator can dramatically sharpen your prospecting efforts. By strategically combining keywords with AND, OR, and NOT, you filter out noise and focus on exactly the leads that matter. It’s a simple skill that delivers powerful results

 

For full information on Boolean Search take a look at our Help Center article here! Let us know below if you have any additional Boolean Search insights or advice you would like to share. 👇

Great breakdown, ​@Kamille_Community Manager! Boolean search is truly one of the most powerful—and underused—features in Sales Navigator. Here are a few additional pro tips for anyone looking to get even more out of Boolean logic:

  • Always use uppercase for operators: AND, OR, and NOT must be in all caps to work properly in Sales Navigator.
  • Use quotes for exact titles and multi-word phrases: For example, “sales director” will only return profiles with that exact phrase, while sales director (no quotes) will return anyone with both words anywhere in their title.
  • Parentheses help you combine logic: Example: (“VP Sales” OR “Head of Sales”) AND SaaS NOT Intern—this narrows results to senior SaaS sales leaders while filtering out interns and junior roles.
  • Boolean works in specific fields: You can use Boolean in keyword, job title, and company fields, but not in dropdown filters like industry or seniority.
  • No wildcards: Sales Navigator doesn’t support the * wildcard, so be specific with your keywords.
  • Test and tweak: Sometimes you’ll need to experiment with your Boolean string to get the best results—don’t be afraid to refine and save your searches for ongoing lead alerts.

Mastering Boolean search can save hours and dramatically improve the quality of your prospect lists. Thanks for spotlighting this essential skill!

​@Sinchu Raju Those tips are spot on, especially about using uppercase operators and quotes for exact phrases. Testing and tweaking strings really makes a big difference in getting precise results. Thanks for sharing these pro tips!

 

-Kamille

One small word of caution around the use of NOT is that it will do exactly what you ask, it is a computer after all 🙂

 

So using the example above (“CMO” OR “VP Marketing”) AND SaaS NOT Intern in a field like past job title, for example if your trying to find the previous person in a role for insight before approaching the incumbent, then it could exclude the right person if their profile experience started with intern as their first role.

 

Another example when you look for MD OR “managing director” NOT Interim in previous roles, to find the ones striving or moving up in an organisation (use size and industry and posted in 30 days as well) would exclude anyone with a previous experience that had an interim title so just be aware with NOT if the results look odd check your logic.

 

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