# Boolean Search in Prospector

Last updated Sep 23rd, 2026

## Overview

Use Boolean search to create precise, powerful queries in Prospector. Combine keywords with operators to find exactly the contacts and organizations you're looking for.

## How Boolean Search Works

Boolean search lets you refine your results by combining search terms with operators. When using operators, you must type them in **UPPERCASE** letters for the search to work correctly.

## Operators

### AND

Narrows your search by requiring all terms to be present.

**Example:** software AND engineer

Returns results that include both "software" and "engineer"

### OR

Broadens your search by including results with any of the specified terms.

**Example:** developer OR engineer OR programmer

Returns results that include at least one of these terms

### NOT

Excludes results containing the specified term.

**Example:** marketing NOT intern

Returns results with "marketing" but excludes any containing "intern"

## Grouping and Exact Phrases

### Quotation Marks " "

Use quotation marks to search for an exact phrase.

**Example:** "product manager"

Returns results containing this exact phrase

### Parentheses ( )

Use parentheses to organize terms and control search logic.

**Example:** (developer OR engineer) AND (Python OR Java)

Returns results with either "developer" or "engineer" AND either "Python" or "Java"

## Search Tips

- **Operators must be in UPPERCASE** \- AND, OR, NOT will work, but and, or, not will not
- **Combine operators** \- Build complex queries by using multiple operators together
- **Use parentheses for clarity** \- When combining operators, parentheses help organize your logic
- **Exact phrases are strict** \- Results must match the phrase exactly as written in quotes

## Example Queries

**Finding specific roles at target companies:**

"head of sales" OR "VP sales" OR "director of sales"

**Excluding specific terms:**

(marketer OR "marketing manager") NOT agency

**Complex targeting:**

("product designer" OR "UX designer") AND (SaaS OR B2B) NOT freelance

**Multiple locations:**

engineer AND (Python OR Go) AND ("San Francisco" OR "New York" OR remote)