Programmable search engines
A better search
A quick Google search shows that a “Programmable Search Engine lets you include a search engine on your website to help your visitors find the information they're looking for.”
It’s a great facility if, for instance, you have a complex website with lots of information to wade through, but not your own built-in search engine.
However, there’s a secret implicit in this definition – it doesn’t have to be your website.
Especially if you can’t fund a LinkedIn Recruiter Licence and have to rely on their pretty weak and limited free search facility.
They’re pretty ugly to use for the most part, which may put you off, yet are a little-known free tool that can enhance how you search for candidates.
Programmable (or custom) search engines can be aimed at any website, against many different types of criteria.
For example, it can be aimed at LinkedIn, running X-ray searches on whatever criteria you set.
Here’s an example standard X-ray search, which you can plug into Google:
- "recruitment enablement" "retained" "cambridge" site:linkedin.com
You’ve found me!
If that happened to be your core criteria, it’s a pretty easy win from a free search.
Unless that is your search engine of choice is Bing or Aliweb, in which case you’ll need to use different search parameters.
A programmable search engine allows you to automate different configurations of this search.
It allows you to run searches at scale and integrated in a variety of applications and systems.
It also allows better data analysis in several ways.
To whet your appetite for programmable search, try Google’s.
Stop!
You can close this email right now and have a play by clicking on these two links:
https://programmablesearchengine.google.com/intl/en_uk/about/
Indeed, I’m not even going to trouble you with a guide on how to do it yourself, as these two links are a good start.
And if you see the value in how they help, you should invest time in learning how to use them properly.
I see value in them – it’s one of the tools I regularly employ depending on the context.
I don’t have a LinkedIn Recruiter licence, because there isn’t a sufficient return for me, given I can find who I need without it.
It’s true I miss out on other features, such as InMails, but if your messaging is good, you don’t really need them anyway – I’ve only sent two InMails in January.
Of course, it has a wider utility than simply LinkedIn, allowing searches across any website that is publicly accessible.
I once placed someone in a skill short UK vacancy having found them on Youtube.
Knowing which search terms and configurations to use can seem a little overwhelming at first, but should become more straightforward with time.
If you have access, you could always ask ChatGPT for help:
“Give me a set of commands for finding London-based React Developers on LinkedIn, using a google programmable search engine”
‘Here is a set of commands you can use to search for London based React Developers on LinkedIn using a Google programmable search engine:
Make sure you have an API key for the Google Custom Search API.
Use the following API endpoint to search for React Developers in London on LinkedIn:
vbnetCopy code
https://www.googleapis.com/customsearch/v1?q="React developer" site:linkedin.com "London"&key=API_KEY
Replace "API_KEY" with your actual API key in the above endpoint.
You can also add any additional filters to the query string, such as experience level, specific skills, etc. For example:
vbnetCopy code
https://www.googleapis.com/customsearch/v1?q="React developer" site:linkedin.com "London" 5+ years experience&key=API_KEY
Make an HTTP GET request to the above endpoint using your preferred programming language.
Parse the response to extract the relevant information, such as the name, profile URL, etc. of the React Developers.
Note: The results may vary based on the Google Custom Search configuration, such as the search engine ID, the language, etc.’
Happy searching.
The next email in this exciting series is on Boolean and Semantic searches, and the tricks you can employ to improve your results.
Thanks for reading.
Regards,
Greg
p.s. While you are here, if you like the idea of improving how you recruit, lack capacity or need better candidates, and are curious how I can help, these are my services:
- commercial, operational and technical leadership recruitment (available for no more than two vacancies)
- manage part or all of your recruitment on an individually designed basis for one client
- recruitment coaching and mentoring (one place available at £200/hr + VAT)
- recruitment strategy setting
- outplacement support
Just hit reply to check if my approach is right for you.