Search Syntax
Understanding how search operators work helps you build precise queries that surface the right conversations.
LinkedIn's post search doesn't behave like Google. Mastering quotation marks and Boolean operators turns an overwhelming feed into a targeted stream of opportunities.
Quotation Marks
LinkedIn's search behavior varies depending on whether you're searching for single or multiple words:
Single Word Searches
| Search Query | Behavior |
|---|---|
recommendations | Exact match for that specific word. Most accurate results. |
"recommendations" | Broader match that includes variations like "recommend", "recommended", "recommending". |
Recommendation: For single words, don't use quotes to get exact matches.
Multi-Word Phrases
| Search Query | Behavior |
|---|---|
looking for recommendations | Unpredictable - behavior varies. May match loosely or return unexpected results. |
"looking for recommendations" | Treats it as a phrase - words should appear together or closely connected. May also include variations. |
Recommendation: For multi-word phrases, use quotes to get predictable, phrase-based matching.
- Single words:
recommendations(no quotes) - Multi-word phrases:
"looking for recommendations"(with quotes) - Mix both:
"looking for" AND CRM AND recommendations
Boolean Operators
AND Operator
Returns posts that include all keywords.
CRM AND "sales automation"
Shows posts mentioning both "CRM" and the phrase "sales automation"
OR Operator
Returns posts that match at least one keyword.
hubspot OR salesforce OR pipedrive
Shows posts mentioning any of these CRM platforms
NOT Operator
Excludes posts containing specific keywords.
"data analyst" NOT intern
Shows "data analyst" posts but filters out internship listings
Search Limits
- Maximum 6 keywords per search
- Maximum 5 operators per search
Tuning Your Results
Too Many Irrelevant Posts?
Don't use quotes for single words
Before: "recommendations"
After: recommendations
Single words without quotes give exact keyword matches.
Use quotes for multi-word phrases
Before: looking for recommendations
After: "looking for recommendations"
Quotes keep words together as a phrase.
Add more specific keywords
Before: recommendations
After: "looking for recommendations" AND B2B AND software
Exclude noise with NOT
"hiring" NOT intern NOT internship
Be careful with the OR operator
OR broadens your search significantly. Use it sparingly.
Refine your AI prompt
Make your filter more restrictive to catch fewer false positives.
Too Few Relevant Results?
Add quotes to single words for variations
Before: benchmarking
After: "benchmarking"
Quoted single words include variations like "benchmark", "benchmarked".
Remove quotes from multi-word phrases
Before: "email marketing automation"
After: email marketing automation
Warning: Unquoted multi-word phrases have unpredictable behavior. Use with caution.
Use OR to expand options
Before: CRM recommendations
After: (CRM OR "sales tools") AND recommendations
Simplify your AI prompt
Make your filter less restrictive to see more potential matches.
Example Searches
| Goal | Query |
|---|---|
| Finding Buying Intent | "looking for" AND "email marketing" NOT job |
| Tracking Competitor Mentions | (hubspot OR marketo OR salesforce) AND (pricing OR expensive) |
| Monitoring Pain Points | "frustrated with" AND spreadsheet AND reporting |
| Identifying New Decision Makers | "new role" AND (VP OR director OR head) AND marketing |
Multi-word phrases like "looking for" and "new role" use quotes to keep words together, while single words like job, marketing, and pricing don't use quotes for exact matches.
Next Steps
→ See search ideas for proven query patterns
→ Configure AI filtering to further refine results
→ Use the Searches API to manage searches programmatically