Targeting
Boolean Search
Using AND, OR, NOT and quoted phrases to build precise prospect searches in LinkedIn and Sales Navigator.
What is boolean search?
Boolean search is the query syntax that turns a vague filter into a precise list. On LinkedIn and Sales Navigator it works inside keyword and title fields.
The operators
- Quotes for exact phrases: "head of engineering"
- AND to require both terms
- OR to accept either, wrapped in brackets
- NOT to exclude
- Brackets to group logic
Practical examples
Engineering leaders at product companies, excluding agencies:
("VP Engineering" OR "Head of Engineering" OR CTO) NOT (agency OR outsourcing OR consultancy)
Revenue leaders in SaaS, excluding recruiters:
("VP Sales" OR "Chief Revenue Officer" OR "Head of Growth") NOT (recruiter OR recruitment)
Why it matters more than volume filters
A list built with sloppy titles pulls in freelancers, students and job seekers. Every one of them costs an invite from a weekly limit that is capped. Boolean precision is not a productivity trick, it is how you protect scarce invite capacity.
See LinkedIn weekly invite limit.