Connectors Connectors (also known as Boolean operators) are used in searches to link together two or more terms. The most commonly-used connectors are: AND and OR.

AND narrows a search; you get fewer records, because both terms must be present in the records found--here the area in color. Use AND to combine different concepts in one search. In many search engines you can use a + in front of each term instead of AND.

OR broadens a search; you get more records because OR includes each of the concepts separately, as well as both concepts when found together. OR is often used to link together related concepts.