When to use LinkedIn Recruiter vs Google X-Ray

LinkedIn Recruiter is a seat. Google X-Ray is a query. They are not competitors so much as two doors into the same public web of profiles. Use the seat when you need InMail, saved projects, or filters the open web will not give you. Use X-Ray when the commercial search is empty, capped, or not worth burning on a $55/hour contract.

A simple split

• Recruiter — named accounts, warm InMail, and lists you will work for weeks.
• X-Ray — first pass on a new req, niche titles, and people who never open LinkedIn messages.
• Both — same Boolean core. Do not maintain two unrelated strings.

Build the string from the JD once. Boolean & X-Ray gives you LinkedIn and Google variants plus alternate titles. Start with JD Analyzer so the AND/OR/NOT matches this req. Tighten exclusions after page one of noise — do not keep adding OR groups.