Skip to main content

How do I use the Industry filter in Search?

Written by Andre Haykal Jr

TL;DR

  • The Industry Filter is a core filter for building accurate, high-performing lead lists.

  • It removes irrelevant companies and keeps results aligned with your ICP.

  • You can select industries directly or discover them using Analytics view.

  • Combine Industry with Keywords, Employees and Job Title for most searches.
    ​

When you’d use this / Why it matters

Industry determines who your offer is actually relevant for. Even with strong copy, targeting the wrong industries leads to poor reply rates and wasted credits. The Industry Filter ensures your outreach stays focused on companies that can realistically convert.
​

Why the Industry Filter matters

Industry defines:

  • Buying behavior

  • Budget expectations

  • Relevance of your offer

If your offer is vertical-specific (for example, real estate marketing, healthcare HR tech, or e-commerce logistics software), choosing the wrong industries will:

  • Inflate your list with poor-fit companies

  • Lower performance

  • Dilute results

The Industry Filter keeps your list:

  • Intentional

  • Relevant

  • ICP-aligned
    ​

When you should use the Industry Filter

Most of the time, unless you start from Keywords or AI Company Search. Those can replace Industry for niche markets.

Industry is a foundational filter and should be used alongside:

  • Company Size

  • Keywords

  • Job Titles

Use it when:

  • You already know the verticals you serve (e.g. SaaS, Construction, Real Estate)

  • You want to explore new markets using keyword data

  • You need to exclude irrelevant sectors (e.g. Retail, Education)
    ​

How the Industry Filter works

ListKit provides two primary ways to use the Industry Filter effectively.
​

Option 1: Search and select industries directly

If you already know your target verticals, search and select them in the Industry field.

Common examples:

  • Real Estate

  • Construction

  • Financial Services

  • Software Development

  • E-commerce

You can select multiple industries to cover adjacent markets (e.g. Real Estate + Property Management + Commercial Real Estate).
​

Option 2: Discover industries using Analytics view

If your niche is broad, or you’re unsure which industries apply, start with Keywords first.

Step-by-step:

  1. Add ICP-related keywords

  2. Let results load

  3. Switch to Analytics view (the icon next to Table view above the results) and check Top Industries

  4. Review the most common industries

  5. Add relevant industries to the filter

  6. Exclude unrelated industries

💡 Pro tip:
Analytics view shows which industries, countries and job titles are most common in your current results, so you can add or exclude them quickly.
​

Industry vs Vertical vs Micro Industry vs SIC Code: Vertical is the broadest grouping, Industry and Micro Industry are narrower, and SIC Code is the official numeric classification. See the dedicated articles: How to use Vertical Filters? and How to use SIC codes?

Example workflow

Step 1: Add keywords
Example: solar panels, renewable energy, clean tech

Step 2: Open Analytics view
Top industries may include:

  • Renewable Energy

  • Environmental Services

  • Utilities

  • Construction

Step 3: Select industries

  • Include: Renewable Energy, Environmental Services

  • Exclude: Construction (if it doesn’t fit your offer)

Step 4: Refine further

  • Add Company Size

  • Add Funding

  • Add Job Titles
    ​

Example use cases

Example 1: Real estate automation

  • Keywords: real estate, property, brokerage

  • Industries: Real Estate, Property Management, Commercial Real Estate

  • Result: Only real estate companies, no unrelated firms
    ​

Example 2: SaaS outbound services

  • Keywords: software, SaaS, platform

  • Industries: Software Development, Information Technology, Internet, Marketing & Advertising

  • Result: Focused list of SaaS and tech companies
    ​

Example 3: Healthcare uniforms supplier

  • Keywords: medical, hospital, clinic

  • Industries: Hospital & Health Care, Medical Practice

  • Result: Excludes fitness, pharma, and unrelated sectors
    ​

Pro tips for best results

  • Start broad with Keywords, then refine with Industry

  • Use multiple industries if your offer spans adjacent verticals

  • Exclude industries that don’t match your ICP

  • Combine Industry + Funding + Employees for stronger segmentation
    ​
    ​

Expected outcome

You should now be able to:

  • Select the right industries for your ICP

  • Discover industries using keyword data

  • Exclude poor-fit markets

  • Build cleaner, higher-converting lead lists
    ​

Final takeaway

Think of Industry as your map.

  • Keywords help you find the territory

  • Industry marks the exact regions worth targeting

Use both together to build cleaner lists, stronger campaigns, and higher conversion rates.

Did this answer your question?