Ever spent hours sorting through irrelevant leads, wishing you could just filter out entire industries in ZoomInfo? You’re not alone. Whether you’re targeting niche markets or steering clear of unqualified prospects, knowing how to exclude industries can save you time and boost results.
Understanding this feature is essential for creating precise, effective prospect lists. In this article, we’ll explain exactly how to exclude industries in ZoomInfo—step by step—plus share helpful tips to refine your searches further.
Related Video
How to Exclude Industries in ZoomInfo for Targeted Lead Generation
ZoomInfo is a powerful platform for B2B sales and marketing professionals looking to connect with the right contacts at the right companies. One of its standout features is the ability to filter and segment prospect lists based on detailed criteria—such as industry—so you can focus your outreach and avoid wasting time on irrelevant leads.
A common use case is excluding specific industries that do not fit your ideal customer profile. This guide explains exactly how to exclude industries in ZoomInfo, why it matters, and tips to get the most out of ZoomInfo’s advanced filtering capabilities.
Why Exclude Industries in ZoomInfo?
Every business has a target market. Focusing on companies within certain industries increases your chances of success. Excluding irrelevant industries is crucial because:
- It ensures your sales and marketing efforts are focused on high-potential prospects.
- It helps avoid irrelevant communications, which can harm your brand’s credibility.
- Your team saves time by not chasing leads that won’t convert.
- It provides cleaner, more valuable data for reporting and analysis.
By narrowing your audience, you maximize efficiency and improve your results.
How to Exclude Industries in ZoomInfo: Step by Step
Excluding industries from your ZoomInfo searches is easy once you understand the available search tools and filters. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown using ZoomInfo’s various platforms (such as SalesOS, MarketingOS, and Lite versions):
1. Start a New Search
- Log into your ZoomInfo account.
- Choose the lead or company search feature relevant to your needs (People, Companies, or Advanced Search).
2. Navigate to the Industry Filter
- Find the section that allows you to filter by industry.
- This is usually labeled as “Industry,” “Industry Category,” or similar.
3. Select Industry Exclusions
- Instead of selecting industries you want, look for an “exclude” or “remove” option.
- Most versions present industry filters with checkboxes or dropdown lists for inclusion and exclusion.
- Select the industries you want to exclude from your search results.
4. Use Boolean Logic for Advanced Exclusions
- For even more precise targeting, ZoomInfo enables Boolean operators like NOT, AND, and OR.
- To exclude an industry, use the NOT operator in advanced search fields where applicable. For example, entering
NOT Healthcarein an industry search box will exclude all companies in the Healthcare industry.
5. Apply the Filter
- Click “Apply,” “Search,” or “Update Results”—the language may vary based on the version you use.
- Your results now exclude all companies or contacts within your specified industries.
6. Save Your Search (Optional)
- If you plan to use this exclusion frequently, save your search as a template or list for future campaigns.
Benefits of Excluding Industries in ZoomInfo
Focusing your efforts brings tangible advantages:
- Better Lead Quality: Only see companies that match your ideal audience.
- Higher Conversion Rates: Talk to decision-makers in relevant industries.
- Reduced Outreach Costs: Fewer wasted calls and emails on non-viable sectors.
- Improved Productivity: Teams work smarter, not harder.
- Enhanced Personalization: Custom messaging resonates more in your target verticals.
Key Aspects and Challenges
While excluding industries is straightforward, consider these important points:
1. Granularity of Industry Data
- ZoomInfo typically uses standardized industry codes (like NAICS or SIC). Sometimes, company categorization may not perfectly match your criteria.
- Double-check sample entries to ensure your exclusions are working as intended.
2. Multiple Industry Affiliations
- Some companies operate in more than one industry. Excluding one industry may still show such companies if they have dual or miscellaneous classifications.
3. Filter Limitations by Subscription Tier
- Advanced exclusions or Boolean search capabilities may only be available on premium plans.
- If you cannot find exclusion features, check your subscription level or contact ZoomInfo support for clarity.
4. Industry Synonyms, Subcategories, and Naming
- The same industry might be referred to in different ways (e.g., “Information Technology” vs. “IT Services”).
- Take time to check all variations to ensure a thorough exclusion.
Practical Tips and Best Practices
To maximize your results and avoid missing high-quality prospects, consider these recommendations:
1. Combine Industry Exclusion with Other Filters
Use industry exclusions alongside:
– Company size
– Geography
– Revenue
– Job title or department
– Technology usage
This creates highly targeted lists.
2. Use Inclusion and Exclusion Lists
ZoomInfo allows you to create lists of companies or domains you want to always include or exclude. This is especially useful for:
– Excluding competitors or current clients
– Avoiding accidental outreach to restricted industries
3. Leverage Boolean Operators
- Use
AND,OR, andNOToperators with keywords and industry terms for maximum flexibility. - Example: Exclude multiple industries at once (e.g.,
NOT Healthcare AND NOT Education).
4. Regularly Update Your Filters
- Industry landscapes and company classifications change over time.
- Review and adjust your exclusions quarterly or before big campaigns.
5. Test and Review Results
- After applying exclusions, sample the results to ensure you’re not inadvertently blocking valuable targets or missing your ideal prospects.
- Make adjustments based on what you find.
6. Train Your Team
- Make sure all users understand how to use exclusion filters and Boolean logic.
- Share saved searches and templates to maintain consistency across your organization.
Cost Tips
ZoomInfo’s subscription tiers can affect what filters and features you can access:
- Basic plans may not allow advanced Boolean logic or bulk exclusion lists.
- Higher tiers (like MarketingOS or SalesOS Advanced) offer more granular control, allowing large inclusion/exclusion lists and custom filters.
- Evaluate how often you need advanced exclusions. Upgrading may save you more (in time and campaign costs) than it costs.
- Regularly prune and update your exclusion filters and lists. The more precise your lists, the fewer wasted contacts you’ll export, helping you maximize the usage within your subscription limits.
- Avoid exporting or purchasing contacts from excluded industries to prevent unnecessary costs.
Related Features
Aside from basic industry exclusion, ZoomInfo offers powerful audience-building tools:
- Org-Level Exclusion: Remove entire organizations or domains in one step.
- Search Templates: Save commonly used search criteria, including exclusions.
- Integration Filters: Sync exclusion filters with your CRM or marketing automation platforms for seamless workflow.
Exploring these options can further streamline your lead generation process.
Conclusion
Excluding industries in ZoomInfo is an essential tactic for any team looking to optimize their outbound prospecting. By leveraging industry exclusion filters, Boolean logic, and saved search templates, you can focus only on the industries most relevant to your business. This saves time, enhances lead quality, and boosts your campaign’s efficiency.
Regularly update your criteria and train your team to keep up with market changes. When used strategically, these features will help you create targeted, efficient, and successful outreach lists.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I exclude an industry in ZoomInfo?
You can exclude an industry by using the industry filter in the search section. Select industries you wish to exclude and apply the filter. In advanced search, use Boolean operators like “NOT” before the industry name to exclude it from the results.
Can I exclude multiple industries at once?
Yes! In most ZoomInfo editions, you can exclude multiple industries. Select all the relevant industries in the filter area or use Boolean logic to exclude several at the same time (e.g., “NOT Healthcare, NOT Education”).
Why are companies from an excluded industry still showing up in my results?
Some companies are categorized under multiple industries or may have a primary and secondary industry listing. Double-check your filters and explore using more precise keywords or additional exclusion criteria for accuracy.
Is industry exclusion available on all ZoomInfo plans?
Advanced exclusion features may only be available on certain subscription tiers or modules like MarketingOS or SalesOS. If you’re missing a feature, check your plan details or consult with ZoomInfo support.
How can I make sure my exclusion filters stay up to date?
Review and update your exclusion filters regularly—at least quarterly. Monitor your search results for quality and relevance. As industry trends and classifications evolve, adjust your filters to match your current target market.