Boolean Search Checker & Converter

Paste any boolean string. Get every syntax error that silently breaks a search, a corrected string, and the same query rewritten for LinkedIn Recruiter, Google X-ray or Indeed. No sign-up.

Try an example
Corrected string for LinkedIn Recruiter
("software engineer" OR "backend engineer" AND python NOT recruiter)
What was fixed

Warning: Curly quotes replaced with straight quotes (4). Word and Google Docs insert them; search engines do not treat them as quotes.

Missing closing bracket added at the end (1).

Warning: AND and OR are mixed at the same level without brackets. Platforms read that left to right, which is rarely what you mean: put each OR list inside its own brackets.

ErrorsThings that break the search
1
WarningsLikely to return the wrong people
2
Terms
4
CharactersCorrected string for LinkedIn Recruiter
68

What the checker fixes

Most boolean searches that return nothing, or the wrong people, fail on syntax rather than logic. Paste your string and the checker repairs the usual suspects and lists every change it made:

  • Brackets: a missing or extra ), and empty () groups.
  • Quotes: an unclosed phrase, and curly quotes (“ ”) pasted from Word or Google Docs that search engines do not read as quotes.
  • Operators: lowercase and / or / not, a string that starts or ends with an operator, doubled operators like AND OR, and commas used as separators.
  • Ambiguity: AND and OR mixed at the same level without brackets, which platforms read left to right.

LinkedIn, Google and Indeed do not speak the same boolean

  • LinkedIn Recruiter wants AND, OR and NOT in capitals, supports brackets and quotes, and does not support the * wildcard.
  • Google X-ray treats a space as AND, only understands OR in capitals, and excludes with a leading dash: -recruiter instead of NOT recruiter.
  • Indeed accepts AND, OR, NOT, brackets, quotes and the * wildcard.

Pick the platform under Format for and copy the rewritten string. Build a new string from scratch with the Boolean Search String Builder, widen it with the Synonym Expander, or point it at public profiles with the X-ray Search Builder.

From a string to real candidates

A corrected string still only searches the platform you paste it into, one at a time, with no contact details attached. HeroHunt runs the same query against a live candidate index across LinkedIn, GitHub and the open web, screens every match against your role, and reveals verified emails and phone numbers.

Frequently asked questions

The things that make a search return nothing or the wrong people: missing or extra brackets, an unclosed quote, empty brackets, a string that starts or ends with an operator, doubled operators like AND OR, curly quotes pasted from Word or Google Docs, lowercase and / or / not, and commas used as separators. Every fix is listed so you can see exactly what changed.

The operators differ. LinkedIn Recruiter wants AND, OR and NOT in capitals and does not support the * wildcard. Google treats a space as AND, understands OR only in capitals, and excludes with a leading dash instead of NOT. Indeed accepts AND, OR, NOT and the * wildcard. The converter rewrites your query for the platform you pick.

It is free and needs no sign-up. Everything runs in your browser; the string never leaves your device and nothing is stored.

developer OR engineer AND python is ambiguous: platforms read it left to right, so it may match any engineer with Python, or any developer at all. Put each OR list in its own brackets: (developer OR engineer) AND python. The checker flags this so you can group intentionally.

A boolean string only searches the platform you paste it into. Sign in to HeroHunt to run the corrected query against a live candidate index across LinkedIn, GitHub and the open web, screen the results against your role, and reveal contact details in one place.