Use keyword search in Outreach to quickly find relevant contacts based on key information such as name, email address, physical location, or sector. You can use either a simple search for quick queries or an advanced search to build more detailed, targeted searches across multiple fields
Search behavior
When you apply an advanced search, it takes priority over any keywords entered in the simple search bar
Simple search is automatically disabled while advanced search is in use
Simple keyword search
The search bar allows you to add multiple keywords as tags. Each tag represents a keyword and is clearly separated for easy visibility and control.
Key features
Add up to 10 keyword tags in a single search.
Choose how keywords are applied:
Search Any – returns results matching any of the keywords (OR logic)
Search All – returns results containing all keywords (AND logic)
Keywords are automatically matched across all available fields, including:
Name
Email
Bio
Other indexed profile fields
Notes
Once 10 keywords are added, the search field becomes unavailable until a tag is removed.
All keywords entered in simple search are applied across the same combined set of fields.
Advanced search
You can create an advanced search using Keywords, Physical Locations, and Sectors to further refine your search for relevant contacts.
1. Select Advanced Keywords next to the search bar
The advanced search panel opens.
2. Select the required option (Keyword Search, Physical Location, or Sectors) in the Keyword Search dropdown. Each option is explained in detail below.
3. Define a keyword set.
Each search starts with a keyword set that allows you to define three elements: Keyword Type, Keyword Entry and Search Logic.
Keyword Type - Select the dropdown next to Keyword Search (defaults to All keyword types) to choose specific fields, such as:
Journalist – Name, Job Title, Profile, Email, Address, Talking About
Outlet – Name, Publisher
You can add multiple keyword types within the same set. Select Select All to include every field, or select individual fields as needed.
Keyword Entry - In the search box, enter the keyword(s) for the keyword type(s) you selected, then press Enter after each keyword to add it to those keyword type(s). The keyword count next to Keyword Set updates as you add terms.
Search Logic - Choose how the keywords in the set are applied:
Search any – Matches results containing any of the keywords (OR logic)
Search all – Matches results containing all keywords (AND logic)
4. Add multiple keyword sets (optional).
Select + New Keyword Set to add another keyword set and expand your search.
Each keyword set is numbered sequentially (Keyword Set 1, Keyword Set 2, and so on) as you add them.
Each keyword set groups related search conditions.
Separate sets are combined using OR logic.
This lets you target different combinations of fields and keywords within a single search.
5. Apply the search.
Once you've configured your keywords and logic, select Apply Search. The Advanced Keywords button in the Search screen displays the number of active terms.
Using the advanced keyword search
Select Keyword Search from the dropdown to define how and where each keyword is applied.
For example, to find journalists talking about AI,
1. Choose Journalist – Talking About as the keyword type and enter "AI" in the search box.
2. Press Enter to add it.
3. Select Apply Search.
The blue number 1 displayed on the Advanced Keywords button indicates the number of active advanced keyword filters applied to your search.
Note: When to use each option
Simple search
Best for quick lookups using a small number of keywords across all fields
Advanced keyword search
Best for building detailed searches that target specific fields and combine multiple keyword conditions
This approach gives you flexibility to move from quick discovery to highly targeted searches, depending on your needs.
Using the advanced physical location search
1. Select Physical Location from the dropdown.
2. Select from the available values in the dropdown.
3. Select Apply Search.
Once applied, these filter values appear in the Filters panel on the right side of the Search page, and the corresponding filter becomes disabled there. Physical Location cannot be used in both the advanced search and the Filters panel at the same time.
Using the advanced sectors search
1. Select Sectors from the dropdown.
2. Select from the available values in the dropdown.
3. Select Apply Search.
Once applied, these filter values appear in the Filters panel on the right side of the Search page, and the corresponding filter becomes disabled there. Sectors cannot be used in both the advanced search and the Filters panel at the same time.
FAQs
Q: What happens if I input multiple Physical Location filters and the Search all option in the Advanced Search?
A: Since all our contacts are only associated with one physical location, if you use Search all with multiple Physical Locations, then no results will be returned.