Boolean Search
What is Boolean Search?
Boolean Search can improve search results by using logical operators that simplify the complications while browsing. In other words, they broaden the searches. Boolean searches are followed by certain operators:-
- AND binds searches for both the terms or includes all keywords. They can include “climate change and global warming” and “cakes and pastries”.
- OR can provide search results of all of them or themselves, like “cat or feline”.
- NOT is used when you are clear about something or a topic and exclude what you’re not looking for. Phrases like “cakes not pastries” and “cats not kittens” can clarify the search intent.
- Quotation marks(“ ”) are used to get search results specific to the name, phrases and quotes.
- Parentheses can be handy when there are complex queries where multiple Boolean operators are used. Examples can be (SEO or SEM) and Marketing.
This method was developed by a 19th-century English mathematician, George Boole, who emphasised the concept of symbolic logic. Today, its use has spread across search engines, databases, job boards, library catalogues, and so on.