This guide covers how to create Boolean Queries but if you'd like our AI Assistant to help you with this - find out more here.
Key Operators
Boolean building is bound to involve at least one of the key operators below:
Boolean queries use a set of logical operators to refine search results. Here are the main ones:
AND: Ensures all specified terms are present.
OR: Accepts results with at least one of the terms.
NOT: Excludes specific terms from results.
NEAR/x: Finds terms within a certain number of words from each other.
Cision’s Boolean Creator offers AI-powered tools to simplify and enhance your query-building process. Key features include:
Smart Suggestions: Recommend terms and structures to save time.
Editing Assistance: Allow users to easily refine queries for better outcomes.
Standard Boolean Queries
A Standalone Boolean Query involves a single keyword, containing one word (ex. "finance") or multiple words surrounded by plain quotation marks (ex. "personal finance").
Examples
"business" AND "personal finance"
"cost of living" OR "household expenses"
"personal finance" NEAR/5 "401k"
"Personal finance" NOT "401k"
Blended Boolean Queries
A Blended Boolean Query is a more complex search involving multiple operators to contextualize your results even more precisely. Parenthesis ( ) are required in all cases and must be used correctly to maximize accuracy.
Examples
(("Apple") AND ("iPhone" OR "iPad")) NOT "Macbook"
(("Apple") NEAR/5 ("iPhone" OR "iPad" OR "Macbook"))
("USA" OR "United States") NOT ("Canada" OR "United Kingdom" OR "UK")
(("Cision") AND ("PR Newswire" OR "Brandwatch") AND ("Communications Cloud" OR "Comms Cloud"))
For optimizing Boolean query usage, consider the following tips:
Start Broad, Then Narrow Down: Begin with general terms to cast a wide net before refining specific keywords.
Leverage Synonyms: Utilize 'OR' for multiple synonymous terms.
Regular Updates: Update queries frequently to reflect evolving search trends.
The Boolean Query builder will offer suggestions for filters that begin with the letter you typed.
Example Boolean Query for AI Topics
Author Queries
Use the Author Query to search for articles by a particular author or journalist. This can either be a broad General Search or a Restricted Search limited to articles that mention particular keywords.
General Search
author: “Christiane Amanpour”
author: (“Susan Nerberg” OR “David Tooley”)
Restricted Search
(author: "Sophie Elsworth") AND ("finance" OR "finances" OR "financial" OR "money" OR "monetary" OR "spend" OR "spent" OR "spending" OR "expense" OR "expenses" OR "expenditure")
Bonus Queries
Here are some additional operators you might find useful during your Boolean building:
Leveraging AI tools like Cision's AI Assistant can greatly streamline the process of building effective Boolean queries. These intelligent features recommend terms while you construct your queries, saving valuable time and reducing errors - find out more here.
