How to use Twitter (X) search like a pro

Learn how to supercharge your Twitter (X) search using these handy tips to narrow the scope and find relevant tweets quickly.

Using search filters on the X app

Twitter offers a search feature, just like most similar applications. The problem is, you sometimes still can’t find what you’re looking for. With this in mind, here is a helpful list of search options that can help. So, if you’re ready, here’s how to use Twitter search like a pro.

Note that tweets are now called ‘posts’ but we have still used the word ‘tweet’ in our guide. Secondly, you may see unrelated promoted/boosted tweets (ads) even on the search page. So, this is something to keep in mind.

Username searches

If you’re looking for tweets from a specific user or to a specific user, try these username searches.

  • from:username > Finds tweet from a certain user.
  • from:username1 to:username2 > Finds tweets from one user to another user.
Finds tweets from one user to another user

Search filters

To really narrow down your search results, add one of these filters to your search term. We’ve included an example for each to show you how to format them and what they do.

  • filter:verified > Finds tweets from verified users.
    • money filter:verified > Finds tweets containing the word “money” from verified users.
  • filter:replies > Finds tweets with replies.
    • flower filter:replies > Finds tweets containing the word “flower” that have replies.
  • filter:retweets > Finds tweets with retweets.
    • taco filter:retweets > Finds tweets containing the word “taco” that have retweets.
  • filter:links > Finds tweets with links.
    • money filter:links > Finds tweets containing the word “money” and links.
  • filter:images > Finds tweets with images.
    • cow filter:images > Finds tweets containing the word “cow” and images.
  • filter:media > Finds tweets with video or images.
    • puppy filter:media > Finds tweets containing “puppy” with video or images.
  • filter:news > Finds tweets with news.
    • entertainment filter:news > Finds entertainment news.
Finding entertainment news on Twitter

Date searches

Date searches are helpful for finding the newest tweets for your search term or those that you know were posted during a certain time frame.

  • until:date > Finds tweets before a certain date.
    • flower until:2018-10-01 > Finds tweets containing the word “flower” posted before October 1, 2018.
  • since:date1 until:date2 > Finds tweets between two dates.
    • Tesla since:2024-03-01 until:2024-03-19 > Finds tweets containing the word “Tesla” posted between March 1, 2024 and March 19, 2024.
Finding Tesla tweets for specific dates

Location searches

Want to find tweets from users near you? Use this search with your city and state. Then adjust the miles for how close or far the search should look.

  • near:city,state within:Xmi > Finds tweets near your city and state within the number of miles you enter.
    • near:orlando,fl within:25mi > Finds tweets near Orlando, FL within 25 miles.
Searching for tweets based on location

Other common search operators

Here are some other common search operators you can use. Just swap out the keywords for your own search terms.

  • sunny day > Finds tweets with both words “sunny” and “day.”
  • “sunny day” > Finds tweets with the exact phrase “sunny day.”
  • sunny OR day > Finds tweets with either words “sunny” or “day.”
  • movie -animated > Finds tweets containing the word “movie” but not the word “animated.”
  • taco ? > Finds tweets containing the word “taco” that ask a question.
Searching for tweets with words taco and question mark

There are plenty of additional operators that you can use, and this Twitter Developer page shows them all.

Twitter Filters and Advanced Search

If you like the idea of combining keywords with filters, dates, and other search options but want to go the super easy route, Twitter offers both Search Filters and an Advanced Search. Here’s how to access them.

1) Search for the desired phrase in the Twitter search field.

2) If you are in the X app, tap the filter icon, and then you can choose to see tweets based on people and location.

Using filters in X app on iPhone

If you are using Twitter in a web browser, click the three dots icon and choose Search settings. Now, you can choose to Hide sensitive content or Remove blocked and muted accounts.

Search settings on Twitter web

In case you go with Advanced search, you have a whole lot of controls to choose from. You can enter filters for who the tweet is from, which language, minimum number of likes, and more. Once you select a filter, your results will automatically update.

Advanced search on Twitter web

Hopefully, these search options will help you find exactly what you’re looking for on Twitter when you need to do something more than just browse. Are there other search tricks that you use when looking for a certain type of tweet on Twitter? Share your tips with us in the comments!

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