Proximity search operators

  • Aug 19, 2026
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  Article updated: June 22, 2026

Proximity search operators

The following table describes search operators you can use to narrow in on results based on how close search terms are to each other in matching results.

Proximity-based search operators
OperatorDescriptionExample
" "~n
(Proximity search)		Searches for results that contain the specified terms within a set proximity to each other.

"social media"~5

Matches results of the phrase "social media" and results where "social" and "media" are separated by at most five words.

NEAR/nSearches for results that contain the specified term(s) within a set proximity to other specified terms. If you don't specify a number, Lumen uses a default of 15. Hootsuite NEAR/5 (listening OR analytics)

Matches results where "Hootsuite" appears within five words of "listening" or "analytics".

ONEAR/n

 

Searches for results that contain the specified term(s) within a set proximity to other specified terms, in the order specified.

Hootsuite ONEAR/3 (listening OR analytics)

Matches results where Hootsuite appears within three words of "listening" or "analytics," and appears before those terms.

SENTENCESearches for results where the specified terms appear in the same sentence. Hootsuite SENTENCE (listening OR analytics)

Matches results where Hootsuite appears in the same sentence as "listening" or "analytics."

OSENTENCESearches for results where the specified terms appear in the same sentence, in the order specified.

Hootsuite OSENTENCE (listening OR analytics)

Matches results where Hootsuite appears in the same sentence as "listening" or "analytics" and appears before those terms.

FIRST/nIndicates how close to the beginning of a mention the specified term(s) must appear. You must use parentheses with the keyword(s).

FIRST/10 (Hootsuite)

Matches results where "Hootsuite" appears within the first ten words of the post, page, or article.

FIRST/10 (Hootsuite OR Talkwalker)

Matches results where either "Hootsuite" or "Talkwalker" appears within the first ten words of the post, page, or article.

 

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Proximity search operators
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Search operators
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