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LinkedIn advanced search is LinkedIn's built-in tool that lets you filter and find specific people, companies, jobs, and content across the platform using over 40 different filters. With advanced search, you can narrow millions of profiles down to the exact decision-makers you need to reach.

Whether you're using LinkedIn's free search or Sales Navigator, mastering advanced search filters and Boolean operators is essential for B2B lead generation in 2026. This guide covers everything you need to know.

Key Takeaways

LinkedIn offers 18 filters for free accounts and 50+ advanced filters for Sales Navigator subscribers
Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT, quotes, parentheses) dramatically improve search precision
Free accounts are limited to 1,000 results per search and ~300 monthly searches; Sales Navigator offers 2,500 results per search and 6,000+ monthly searches
Combining multiple filters creates hyper-targeted lead lists that match your ideal customer profile
Search finds prospects, but inbound authority (like ConnectSafely.ai builds) makes them come to you

LinkedIn Search Filters Explained

LinkedIn provides eight main search categories, each with basic and advanced filtering options. Understanding these filters is the foundation of effective prospecting.

People Search Filters

People search is the most powerful tool for B2B lead generation. Here are the essential filters available:

Basic Filters (Free Account):

Connections: Filter by 1st, 2nd, or 3rd-degree connections, or people outside your network
Locations: Search by country, region, or city where someone is based
Current Companies: Find people working at specific organizations
Past Companies: Identify alumni from particular companies
Industries: Target specific business sectors
Schools: Find alumni from universities or colleges

Advanced Filters (Sales Navigator):

Seniority Level: Segment by professional rank from Owner and CXO to Entry-level
Function: Filter by department like Marketing, Sales, Engineering, or Operations
Years at Company: Find people who recently joined or are long-tenured
Years in Position: Identify decision-makers new to their role
Company Size: Target businesses by employee count ranges
Company Growth: Find organizations that are rapidly hiring
Groups: Locate members of specific LinkedIn groups
Interests: Search based on topics people follow

Spotlight Filters (Sales Navigator exclusive) let you find people who changed jobs in the last 90 days, shared experiences with you, posted on LinkedIn in the past 30 days, or were mentioned in the news.

Company Search Filters

Company search helps you identify high-potential businesses before reaching out to individuals there:

Industry: Target specific business sectors
Company Size: Filter by employee count
Headquarters Location: Find companies based in specific regions
Hiring Activity: See if companies are actively recruiting (Sales Navigator)
Technology Used: Filter by tech stack like HubSpot, AWS, or Salesforce (Sales Navigator Advanced Plus)
Department Size: Search by specific team sizes, like Marketing or Engineering (Sales Navigator)
Fundraising Activity: Identify companies that recently raised capital (Sales Navigator)

Content, Jobs, Groups, and Events Filters

Beyond people and companies, LinkedIn's advanced search extends to:

Posts: Filter LinkedIn content by keywords, author, date range, and engagement
Jobs: Search open positions by title, location, experience level, and company
Groups: Find communities by industry, topic, or interest area
Events: Discover online and in-person networking opportunities by keyword and date

How to Use LinkedIn Advanced Search

Accessing and using LinkedIn advanced search is straightforward once you know where to look.

Step-by-Step: Using Free LinkedIn Search

Click the search bar at the top of any LinkedIn page
Enter a keyword (job title, skill, or company name)
Press Enter to see initial results
Click "All Filters" on the left side of the results page
Select relevant filters from the categories (Connections, Locations, Current Companies, etc.)
Click "Show results" to apply your filters
Review the results (limited to 1,000 profiles per search)

Pro tip: You can access up to 100 pages of 10 results each. Once you hit page 100, you cannot view additional results even if LinkedIn indicates more matches exist.

Step-by-Step: Using Sales Navigator Advanced Search

Log into Sales Navigator
Click "Search" in the left navigation menu
Select "Lead Search" (for people) or "Account Search" (for companies)
Enter keywords in the search field
Apply filters from the extensive list on the left sidebar
Click "Apply" to see results (up to 2,500 profiles per search)
Save your search to receive alerts when new matching leads appear
Export leads to your CRM or sales engagement platform

Sales Navigator's saved search feature is particularly valuable. You can save unlimited searches and receive weekly updates when new prospects match your criteria.

Defining Your Ideal Customer Profile First

Before diving into filters, define your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP). Ask yourself:

What job titles do decision-makers typically hold?
What company sizes are the best fit for your solution?
Which industries benefit most from your product or service?
What geographic regions do you serve?

With a clear ICP, you can apply filters strategically rather than randomly testing combinations.

LinkedIn Boolean Search Operators

Boolean search is a query technique that combines keywords with logical operators to refine results. LinkedIn supports Boolean operators in keyword fields, job title fields, and company fields.

The 5 Essential Boolean Operators

1. AND

The AND operator requires both terms to appear in a profile. This narrows your search.

Marketing AND Analytics

This finds profiles containing both "Marketing" and "Analytics."

2. OR

The OR operator returns profiles containing any of the specified terms. This broadens your search.

"Marketing Manager" OR "Brand Manager" OR "Growth Manager"

This finds profiles with any of these three titles.

3. NOT

The NOT operator excludes specific terms from results. Place NOT before each term you want to exclude.

content NOT copywriter NOT editor

This finds content professionals excluding copywriters and editors.

4. Quotation Marks (" ")

Quotes search for exact phrases in the specific order written.

"Chief Technology Officer"

This finds only profiles with the exact phrase "Chief Technology Officer," not variations like "Technology Chief Officer."

5. Parentheses ( )

Parentheses group terms and control the order of operations. Essential for complex searches.

("content writer" OR copywriter) AND (SaaS OR Software) NOT intern

This finds content writers or copywriters in SaaS or Software companies, excluding interns.

Boolean Operator Rules

Always type AND, OR, and NOT in UPPERCASE letters
LinkedIn does not support wildcard "*" searches
Order of precedence: quotes → parentheses → NOT → AND → OR
Boolean operators work in Sales Navigator's keyword, title, and company fields
Character limits exist: ~2,000 characters for free/Premium, longer for Sales Navigator

Real-World Boolean Search Examples

Finding senior marketing leaders:

(Head OR Director OR VP OR "Vice President" OR Chief) AND (Marketing OR Communications OR Brand) NOT (Assistant OR Junior OR Intern)

Finding software engineers with specific skills:

("Software Engineer" OR Developer) AND (Python OR Java OR "C++") NOT (Junior OR Intern)

Finding sales decision-makers:

("Vice President" OR VP OR Director OR Chief OR Head) AND (Sales OR "Business Development") AND B2B NOT (Associate OR Assistant OR Coordinator)

Using Boolean with LinkedIn X-Ray Search:

You can also combine Boolean logic with Google to surface LinkedIn profiles directly:

site:linkedin.com/in ("product manager" OR "product lead") AND fintech

This searches Google for LinkedIn profiles matching your criteria. Learn more about LinkedIn X-Ray search techniques.

Free LinkedIn Search vs Sales Navigator Search

Understanding the differences between free LinkedIn search and Sales Navigator helps you decide if upgrading is worth the investment.

Feature	Free LinkedIn	Sales Navigator
Search Filters	18 basic filters	50+ advanced filters (36 lead, 16 account)
Results Per Search	1,000 profiles	2,500 profiles
Monthly Search Limit	~300 searches	~6,000 searches
Saved Searches	Not available	Unlimited saved searches with alerts
Network Reach	Primarily 1st and 2nd connections	Extended network visibility including 3rd+
InMail Credits	Not included	50 InMail credits per month
Spotlight Filters	Not available	Job changes, shared experiences, recent posts, news mentions
Lead Recommendations	Not available	AI-powered personalized recommendations
Boolean Search	Supported in keywords	Supported in keywords, titles, companies
Export Capabilities	Manual copy/paste	Direct export to CRM
Pricing	Free	$99/month (Core), $169/month (Advanced)

When to Upgrade to Sales Navigator

Consider Sales Navigator if you:

Need to search beyond 1,000 results regularly
Hit the monthly commercial use limit frequently
Require advanced filters like seniority, function, or years in position
Want to save searches and receive automatic updates
Need to reach prospects outside your network with InMail
Benefit from job change alerts and other spotlight filters

According to a Forrester study, Sales Navigator users generated a 312% ROI over 3 years, primarily due to more efficient prospecting and higher-quality leads.

When Free Search Is Sufficient

Free LinkedIn search works well if you:

Have a well-connected network in your target market
Focus on warm outreach to 1st and 2nd-degree connections
Don't need highly specific filter combinations
Conduct fewer than 300 searches per month
Have time for manual profile review and list building

Many successful sales professionals start with free search and upgrade to Sales Navigator as their prospecting volume increases.

LinkedIn Search Strategies for Lead Generation

Effective lead generation requires more than just knowing which filters exist. Here are proven search strategies used by top-performing sales teams in 2026.

1. Layer Multiple Filters for Precision Targeting

Don't rely on one or two filters. Stack them to create hyper-specific lead lists.

Example: To find decision-makers at SaaS companies:

Keywords: "Vice President" OR "Director"
Function: Sales, Marketing, or Engineering
Industry: Computer Software, Internet
Company Size: 51-200 employees
Location: United States
Seniority: VP, Director level

This combination ensures you're reaching the right people at companies that match your ICP.

2. Use Job Change Alerts to Find In-Market Buyers

People who recently changed jobs are 3x more likely to purchase new solutions in their first 90 days. They're evaluating vendors, setting budgets, and building their tech stack.

Sales Navigator's "Changed jobs in the past 90 days" spotlight filter identifies these hot prospects automatically.

Pro tip: When reaching out to someone who recently changed roles, reference their new position and ask about their priorities. This personalized approach significantly increases response rates.

3. Target Companies Showing Growth Signals

Companies that are actively hiring often need additional tools and services to support their growth.

Use these filters to find high-growth companies:

Company headcount growth: Growing quickly
Hiring on LinkedIn: True
Posted on LinkedIn in past 30 days: True

Then search for decision-makers within those companies. These organizations are more likely to have budget and urgency.

4. Leverage Alumni Networks

Searching for CEOs, hiring managers, or other decision-makers who attended your alma mater creates an instant connection point.

Apply the "Schools" filter combined with title and seniority filters:

Schools: [Your University]
Keywords: "Founder" OR "CEO" OR "VP"
Seniority: CXO, VP

Mentioning shared educational backgrounds in your outreach dramatically improves response rates.

5. Search Within Relevant LinkedIn Groups

Join groups where your ideal customers congregate. Then use the "Groups" filter to search within those communities.

Example: If you sell to HR professionals:

Groups: HR Leaders Network, Society for Human Resource Management
Function: Human Resources
Seniority: Manager, Director

Group members are typically more engaged and open to networking than cold prospects.

6. Combine Content Engagement with Prospecting

Search for prospects who recently posted content on LinkedIn. These individuals are actively building their personal brand and are often more receptive to connection requests.

Use the "Posted on LinkedIn in the past 30 days" filter (Sales Navigator) to identify engaged prospects.

When connecting, reference their recent post in your message. This demonstrates genuine interest and increases acceptance rates.

7. Find Clients by Reverse-Engineering Competitor Connections

Use the "Current Company" filter to search employees at your competitors. Then check their connection lists to identify mutual clients.

Navigate to competitor employees' profiles, scroll to their connections, and look for job titles that match your ICP. This strategy uncovers prospects already familiar with solutions like yours.

Learn more techniques for finding clients on LinkedIn.

LinkedIn Search Limits & How to Work Around Them

LinkedIn enforces two independent search limits to prevent spam and protect user experience. Understanding these restrictions helps you stay compliant while maximizing prospecting efficiency.

The Two Types of Search Limits

1. Commercial Use Limit (Monthly Search Cap)

Free accounts hit the commercial use limit after approximately 300 searches per month. Premium accounts get approximately 6,000 searches per month.

Once you hit this limit, you cannot perform any people searches until the reset date. Limits automatically reset at 12:00 a.m. PT on the 1st of each calendar month.

LinkedIn analyzes your activity patterns and decreases your allowed searches if you show signs of using LinkedIn for aggressive lead generation, such as:

Performing many searches among 2nd and 3rd-degree connections
Viewing many profiles of people you aren't connected to
Browsing many profiles from "People Also Viewed" sections

2. Profile Search Result Limit (Per Query)

Free LinkedIn accounts can access up to 1,000 search results per query (100 pages of 10 results each).

Sales Navigator accounts can access up to 2,500 search results per query (100 pages of 25 results each).

Once you reach page 100, you cannot view additional results, even if LinkedIn indicates thousands more potential leads match your criteria.

What Counts Toward Your Limit

Activities that count toward your commercial use limit:

Searching for LinkedIn profiles on LinkedIn.com and mobile
Browsing profiles using "People Also Viewed" sections
Viewing member profiles on the People tab of LinkedIn Pages

What Doesn't Count Toward Your Limit

These activities do NOT count toward your limit:

Searching among your 1st-degree connections using the "Connections" page
Searching for people by name using the top search box
Viewing profiles of people who visited your profile
Viewing company pages

How to Work Around Search Limits

Strategy 1: Split Search Results Into Smaller Chunks

If your search returns 5,000 results but you can only see 1,000, narrow your criteria to yield multiple smaller searches.

Instead of this:

Title: Sales Manager
Location: United States

Do this:

Search 1: Sales Manager + California
Search 2: Sales Manager + Texas
Search 3: Sales Manager + New York
And so on...

By splitting geographically, you access all 5,000+ results across multiple targeted searches.

Strategy 2: Use Boolean Operators to Create Exclusive Filters

Combine Boolean operators with filters to segment large result sets.

Example:

Search 1: "Sales Manager" AND (A OR B OR C)
Search 2: "Sales Manager" AND (D OR E OR F)
Search 3: "Sales Manager" AND (G OR H OR I)

This technique works well when segmenting by company names, industries, or keyword variations.

Strategy 3: Operate at 50% of Your Limit

LinkedIn's algorithms flag accounts that consistently hit maximum limits. Operating at around 50% of your daily and monthly allowance appears more natural and reduces restriction risk.

Strategy 4: Upgrade to Sales Navigator or Recruiter

Sales Navigator provides:

2,500 results per search instead of 1,000
~6,000 monthly searches instead of ~300
Unlimited people search for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-degree connections

Recruiter plans offer even higher limits with 40+ filters.

Strategy 5: Use Third-Party Lead Databases

Tools like LinkedIn Sales Navigator alternatives or B2B contact databases let you search for prospects outside LinkedIn's platform, bypassing search limits entirely.

Strategy 6: Automate Smart Searching

Instead of manually burning through search limits, consider platforms that help you build targeted lead lists more efficiently. ConnectSafely.ai complements your search efforts by attracting ideal prospects to you through thought leadership and content strategy, reducing your reliance on outbound search.

How ConnectSafely.ai Complements LinkedIn Search

LinkedIn advanced search is excellent for finding prospects. But there's a fundamental problem with outbound prospecting: you're always chasing.

ConnectSafely.ai flips the script. Instead of spending hours searching, filtering, and messaging prospects, you build authority that makes ideal clients come to you.

The Inbound Advantage

When you publish valuable content consistently, three things happen:

LinkedIn's algorithm promotes your content to decision-makers in your industry
Prospects discover you organically when researching solutions
Warm leads reach out to you instead of receiving cold messages

This inbound approach generates higher-quality conversations because prospects already understand your value proposition before the first interaction.

How ConnectSafely.ai Works with Your Search Strategy

Use LinkedIn Search To: Identify your ideal customer profile and understand where they congregate.

Use ConnectSafely.ai To: Build authority within that audience so they seek you out when they're ready to buy.

Here's the workflow:

Define your ICP using LinkedIn advanced search filters
Create targeted content addressing your ICP's pain points
Let ConnectSafely.ai automate your content distribution and engagement
Attract warm inbound leads who already trust your expertise
Reserve search for strategic outreach to high-priority accounts

Pricing That Makes Sense

At just $39/month, ConnectSafely.ai costs less than half of Sales Navigator while delivering higher-quality inbound leads. You're not paying for access to search filters; you're investing in becoming the obvious choice in your market.

From Search to Authority

The most successful LinkedIn strategies in 2026 combine smart search with consistent thought leadership. Search helps you understand your market. Authority helps you own it.

Ready to generate inbound leads instead of chasing outbound prospects? Start your free trial with ConnectSafely.ai today.

FAQ

How do I use LinkedIn advanced search?

To use LinkedIn advanced search, click the search bar at the top of any page, enter a keyword, press Enter, then click "All Filters" on the left side of results. Select relevant filters like location, company, title, and industry, then click "Show results." For more advanced capabilities, Sales Navigator offers 50+ filters including seniority level, years in position, and company growth metrics.

What are LinkedIn Boolean search operators?

LinkedIn Boolean search operators are logical commands (AND, OR, NOT, quotes, and parentheses) that refine search results. Type them in UPPERCASE: AND requires both terms, OR finds either term, NOT excludes terms, "quotes" search exact phrases, and (parentheses) group multiple operators. Example: ("VP Sales" OR "Director of Sales") AND B2B NOT recruiter. See our complete Boolean search cheat sheet.

What is the difference between LinkedIn free search and Sales Navigator?

Free LinkedIn search offers 18 basic filters and displays up to 1,000 results per search with a ~300 monthly search limit. Sales Navigator provides 50+ advanced filters, 2,500 results per search, ~6,000 monthly searches, unlimited saved searches with alerts, 50 InMail credits, and spotlight filters showing job changes and news mentions. Sales Navigator costs $99-169/month depending on the plan.

What are the LinkedIn search limits?

LinkedIn enforces two search limits: a Commercial Use Limit (~300 monthly searches for free accounts, ~6,000 for Premium) and a Result Limit (1,000 profiles per search for free, 2,500 for Sales Navigator). Limits reset monthly on the 1st at 12:00 a.m. PT. To work around limits, split searches into smaller geographic or keyword segments, use Boolean operators to create exclusive filters, or upgrade to Sales Navigator.

How do I find decision-makers on LinkedIn?

To find decision-makers on LinkedIn, use advanced search filters for Seniority Level (CXO, VP, Director) combined with Function (sales, marketing, operations) and Company Size that matches your ICP. Use Boolean operators in the title field: ("Vice President" OR "VP" OR Director OR Chief) AND (your target function). Add spotlight filters like "Changed jobs in past 90 days" to find decision-makers actively evaluating new solutions.

Can I use LinkedIn advanced search without Sales Navigator?

Yes, you can use LinkedIn advanced search without Sales Navigator. Free accounts have access to 18 filters including location, current company, past company, industry, school, and basic keyword search with Boolean operators. However, you'll be limited to 1,000 results per search and approximately 300 monthly searches. Sales Navigator provides 50+ additional filters, higher limits, and saved search capabilities for serious prospecting.

How do I optimize my LinkedIn profile for search?

To optimize your LinkedIn profile for search, incorporate relevant keywords throughout your headline, summary, experience, and skills sections. Use terms your ideal clients would search for, not just job titles. Complete all profile sections to improve search ranking. Get recommendations and endorsements for key skills. Use a professional photo and compelling banner image. Enable creator mode to access additional features. Learn more about LinkedIn keyword optimization.

What are LinkedIn spotlight filters?

LinkedIn spotlight filters are Sales Navigator-exclusive search options that identify prospects showing specific signals. They include: "Changed jobs in past 90 days" (people in new roles), "Posted on LinkedIn in past 30 days" (active users), "Mentioned in the news" (companies getting press coverage), and "Shared experiences" (alumni, past colleagues, or group members). Spotlight filters help you find in-market buyers and warm connection opportunities.

Conclusion: Master Search, Then Build Authority

LinkedIn advanced search is the starting point for effective B2B prospecting. With the right combination of filters, Boolean operators, and search strategies, you can identify your ideal prospects with precision.

But remember: search is just the first step.

The most successful LinkedIn strategies in 2026 combine smart outbound search with powerful inbound authority. Use search to understand your market. Use content and authority to dominate it.

ConnectSafely.ai helps you build that authority for just $39/month—turning LinkedIn from a search tool into a lead generation engine that works while you sleep.

Ready to stop chasing leads and start attracting them? Start your free ConnectSafely.ai trial today.