New Searching Techniques post Google Algorithm update for Recruiters- 2024!

Google’s algorithm is constantly evolving, and its search functions are becoming more sophisticated. While Boolean search has been a reliable technique for finding candidates, understanding the changes in Google’s search algorithm can help refine your Boolean queries and improve the quality of your results. Here’s how you can adapt to new Google algorithm changes when using Boolean for recruitment:

New Ways to Use Boolean Search for Recruitment in 2024:

1. Refining Keywords with Natural Language Processing (NLP)

Google's search engine now uses Natural Language Processing (NLP), which means it better understands how humans use language, including synonyms, related terms, and context. This means you can adapt your Boolean strings to be less rigid and more conversational.

Tip: Instead of only relying on exact keywords, consider adding variations and broader terms. Google can now better identify candidates who might not have the exact keyword you're searching for but are still relevant.

Example:

• Instead of: (developer OR "software engineer") AND ("Java" OR "C++")
• Try: (developer OR "software engineer" OR "programmer") AND ("Java" OR "C++" OR "Python")

2. Leverage Site-Specific Search

Google’s algorithm continues to enhance the way it handles site-specific searches, which means searching within specific websites or platforms (like LinkedIn, GitHub, or personal blogs) can yield more relevant results. When you search within a specific domain, Google prioritizes those sites, providing highly relevant results based on your Boolean query.

Tip: Use the site: operator to limit results to specific websites or platforms where candidates are likely to have profiles.

Example:

• site:linkedin.com ("data scientist" OR "machine learning engineer") AND ("Python" OR "R")
• site:github.com "JavaScript" AND "developer" AND "React"

3. Refining Results with “Quotation Marks” and Synonyms

Google has improved its ability to identify synonyms and contextually relevant terms. While exact matches with quotation marks still work well, don’t hesitate to use broader terms, and let Google’s algorithm determine the most relevant results.

Tip: Expand your search with synonyms, and let Google’s algorithm help you narrow down the most fitting candidates.

Example:

• Instead of just "project manager", you can use: "project manager" OR "program manager" OR "scrum master"

4. Focus on Skills and Titles with Context

Google now does a better job of interpreting the context of skills and job titles. As a result, you can search for specific skills or roles more fluidly without having to list every variation. It’s important to consider the way Google interprets context through NLP.

Tip: Structure your search strings to reflect the broader roles and responsibilities of candidates rather than just titles.

Example:

• ("data engineer" OR "data architect") AND ("ETL" OR "data pipeline" OR "big data")

5. Incorporating Location with “Near” Searches

Google’s algorithms are getting better at location-based searches. You can include geographic keywords to find candidates who are in the right location or willing to relocate, and Google will prioritize those locations in the search results.

Tip: Add location-based search terms to narrow down candidates based on geography.

Example:

• ("product manager" OR "product owner") AND "San Francisco" AND ("Agile" OR "Scrum")
• "UX designer" AND "remote" OR "location flexible"

6. Using the Minus Sign to Exclude Irrelevant Results

One of the most effective tools in Boolean search remains the minus sign (-), especially since Google’s algorithm has become better at interpreting your intent. You can use this to exclude irrelevant results based on job titles, skills, or other specific terms.

Tip: When you are getting too many results for unrelated roles or terms, use the minus sign to remove them.

Example:

• ("digital marketer" OR "SEO specialist") -("intern" OR "junior")

7. Use “AND” and “OR” Effectively for Broader Search Results

While Boolean operators are still important, you can broaden your results using AND and OR more strategically, knowing that Google’s algorithm will interpret your search to include relevant variations of those terms.

Tip: Use OR to broaden your search and AND to narrow it down, balancing the two for a broader yet more targeted set of results.

Example:

• ("UX designer" OR "UI/UX designer" OR "interaction designer") AND ("wireframes" OR "user research")

8. Use of Advanced Google Search Operators

In addition to the regular Boolean operators, Google allows you to use advanced search operators to refine your candidate search. Some useful operators include:

• inurl: – to find keywords in URLs
• intitle: – to find keywords in the title of the page
• intext: – to find keywords in the body of the page

Tip: Leverage these advanced operators to refine the search for specific pages or profiles.

Example:

• intitle:"software developer" AND intext:"React" AND site:linkedin.com
• inurl:"portfolio" AND ("JavaScript" OR "HTML") AND "developer"

9. Incorporating Boolean with Social Media Search

With more job seekers present on social media, leveraging Boolean with social media platforms is essential. Platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or Stack Overflow can be valuable resources for finding candidates. In 2024, Google’s improved indexing of these platforms makes it easier to extract the right profiles using Boolean.

Tip: Use the site: operator and refine your query to target social media profiles.

Example:

• site:linkedin.com ("front-end developer" OR "web developer") AND "JavaScript" AND "VueJS"
• site:twitter.com "data scientist" AND "machine learning" AND "Python"

Summary of New Techniques Post-Google Algorithm Update:

• Use synonyms and broader terms: Take advantage of Google’s understanding of context and synonyms, reducing the need for rigid keyword matching.
• Refine searches by site: Target specific platforms with the site: operator.
• Focus on skills, roles, and geographic preferences: Reflect broader roles and use location-based searches for more targeted results.
• Exclude irrelevant results: Use the minus sign (-) to narrow down your search.
• Leverage advanced search operators: Take advantage of Google’s advanced features like inurl:, intitle:, and intext: to filter and refine your results.

These new ways of using Boolean search with Google’s updated algorithm will help you stay ahead in the competitive world of talent acquisition and ensure that your recruitment strategy remains effective and efficient.