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Boolean Searching
By Danny Sullivan, Editor (October 26, 2001)
 
  • Boolean search commands have been used by professionals for searching through traditional databases for years.

  • Boolean commands are supported by all the major search services.

  • The Search Engine Math provide the same basic functionality as Boolean commands and are also supported by all the major search services.

  • Boolean Commands:
    OR, AND, NOT, NEAR, Nesting
    OR [command]
    To allow any of the specified search terms to be present on the web pages listed in results. It can also be described as a Match Any search.

    AND [command]
    To require that all search terms be present on the web pages listed in results. It can also be described as a Match All search.

    NOT [command]
    To require that a particular search term NOT be present on web pages listed in results. It can also be described as an Exclude search.

    NEAR [command]
    The NEAR command is used in order to specify how close terms should appear to each other.

    Nesting ( ) [command]
    To build complex queries using parentheses ().


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