What is boolean search?

If you’ve ever asked what is boolean search?, it’s a method of using operators like AND, OR, and NOT to refine online searches. Boolean logic helps you combine keywords in a way that narrows or broadens results, making it easier to find exactly what you need. This technique is widely used in recruitment, research, and even everyday internet searches.

How do you do a boolean search?

To understand how you do a boolean search, start with the basics. Boolean operators are simple words or symbols that tell the search engine how to handle your keywords:

• AND – combines terms so results include all of them (e.g., “marketing AND SEO”)
• OR – expands results to include any of the terms (e.g., “copywriter OR content writer”)
• NOT – excludes terms you don’t want (e.g., “designer NOT graphic”)

You can also use quotation marks for exact phrases and brackets to group terms for complex queries. These rules apply across platforms like Google, LinkedIn, and job boards.

What is real world example of boolean search that you may encounter?

Imagine you’re planning a night out and want to find a restaurant that serves pizza and pasta, but definitely not sushi. Your boolean search might look like this:

"pizza" AND "pasta" NOT "sushi"

If you’re feeling adventurous and want either pizza or burgers, you’d try:

"pizza" OR "burgers"


It’s basically like telling the search engine: “Give me the good stuff, skip the raw fish, and maybe throw in a burger if you’ve got one.” That’s boolean logic in action - simple, but surprisingly powerful.

What is boolean search in recruitment?

Recruiters often ask "what is boolean search in recruiting?" It’s a powerful way to find candidates by combining job titles, skills, and locations in one query. For example, a recruiter looking for a software developer might search:

("software developer" OR "programmer") AND ("Java" OR "Python") AND "Manchester"


This approach saves time and ensures you reach the most relevant profiles without scrolling through thousands of unrelated results.

Why use boolean search?

Boolean search is essential because it gives you control over your results. Instead of relying on broad searches, you can:

• Target specific skills or qualifications
• Exclude irrelevant roles or industries
• Combine multiple criteria in one query

This precision is especially useful for recruitment, research projects, and competitive analysis.

Tips for getting started

If you’re wondering what is a boolean search and how to master it, here are a few tips:

• Start simple with AND and OR before adding brackets or exclusions
• Use quotation marks for exact job titles or phrases
• Test your queries and adjust based on the results

Many job boards and platforms have their own rules, so check their guidelines for supported operators.

Common mistakes to avoid

While boolean search is straightforward, mistakes can lead to poor results. Avoid:

• Forgetting quotation marks for multi-word phrases
• Overcomplicating queries with too many operators
• Ignoring platform-specific syntax

A clean, well-structured query will always perform better than one overloaded with unnecessary terms.

Is boolean search worth learning?

Absolutely. Whether you’re a recruiter, marketer, or researcher, understanding boolean logic can save hours of manual searching. It’s a skill that improves efficiency and accuracy, making it a valuable addition to your toolkit.

Boolean search is just the start

At Airswift, we specialise in connecting businesses with highly skilled professionals across the STEM sectors. Whether you need niche expertise or large-scale recruitment solutions, our team can help you source the right candidates quickly and efficiently.