This document explains how Linear’s saved search works in the Insider context: how matches are calculated, when notifications are sent, what the other agent sees, and how matches are shown in Linear. This guide is intended for those who already know how to create a saved search and want to understand the underlying logic in more detail.
A saved search runs automatically in the background once it has been created. The system looks for suitable listings both in real time from new publications and whenever existing listings are updated.
1. Overview
A saved search is a continuously active comparison between your client’s needs and Linear’s listing database. Whenever a new listing comes on the market or an existing listing changes in a way that could make it suitable, the system checks the saved search automatically.
The saved search takes two worlds into account:
- Published Linear listings (your own and other agents’ listings in your company that you have access to)
- Insider listings (listings published in the closed agent network)
Matches from the Insider side are only shown if both you (or the saved search contact) and the listing agent have enabled Insider.
Good to know: The same saved search supports both Linear’s standard CRM use and finding Insider matches. You don’t need to create the same saved search twice.
2. How matches are calculated
The system compares the saved search criteria with the listing data, criterion by criterion, and calculates a match percentage.
2.1 Location is a baseline requirement
Location is always mandatory and is not included in the percentage calculation. All matches are location-compatible; the other criteria refine the match.
2.2 Other criteria are counted as met or not met
Each optional criterion you’ve filled in is checked separately. A criterion either matches the listing or it doesn’t. In total, a saved search can have 13 optional criteria:
- Minimum and maximum floor area (in square metres)
- Minimum and maximum year built
- Number of rooms (you can select multiple, e.g. 3 rooms, 4 rooms)
- Listing type (apartment building, terraced house, detached house, semi-detached house, loft, detached unit, holiday home)
- Overall condition of the property
- Plot ownership (owned, leased, optional)
- Heating system
- New development (yes/no)
- Lift/Elevator (yes/no)
- Balcony (yes/no)
- Sauna (yes/no)
- Private shoreline (yes/no)
2.3 Match percentage
The match percentage indicates how many of the search criteria are met. Example:
If the saved search includes “Location + 5 optional criteria” and the listing meets all of them, the match percentage is 100%. If the listing meets only 3 out of the 5 optional criteria, the match percentage will be below 100%.
Good to know: A saved search sends an email notification only for full matches (100%). Partial matches are shown in Insider’s match list, but they don’t trigger an email.
2.4 Fine-tuning of certain criteria
A few criteria work slightly differently:
- Number of rooms “7+”: if you select 7 rooms for the client, the saved search will match all listings with 7 rooms or more
- Private shoreline: a match is created only if the listing specifically has a private shoreline (not shared shoreline or nearby public access)
- New development in a sales assignment: the listing’s product group must be New Development
- Price range: if you fill in only one limit, the other direction is unbounded
3. When the saved search triggers
The saved search runs in real time and doesn’t require separate activation.
3.1 When a saved search is created or edited
After saving, the system goes through all current listings in one pass and generates matches immediately.
3.2 When a new listing is published
Whenever a new listing is published, or an old listing becomes active again, the system compares it against all existing saved searches. Matches update right away.
3.3 When a listing is updated
If the listing’s price, floor area, type, or other information related to the saved search criteria changes, the saved search runs a new comparison. Matches may appear or disappear as a result of the update.
3.4 What does not trigger a saved search
- A listing that has moved to Sold, Rented, or archived status remains outside the match list
- Reserved listings (e.g. deal agreed) no longer generate new matches
4. Email and in-app notifications
4.1 Who receives the notification
The email notification is sent to the saved search contact person. In addition, on the listing side, the listing agent and any users who have been granted access to the listing will receive a notification if they have also enabled saved search notifications.
4.2 When the email is sent
The email notification is sent with an approximately 15-minute delay after a match is created. This delay is intentional: multiple matches created around the same time are bundled into a single email, so the inbox doesn’t fill up with individual notifications.
4.3 Email contents
The message includes:
- A list of new full matches, grouped by listing or by customer
- Match points in the format “X/Y criteria matched”
- Links directly to the match in Linear
Insider matches are sent in a separate email that uses an anonymous customer identifier (e.g. “Anonymous buyer #12345”) instead of the customer’s name. This ensures the customer’s privacy even if the email is forwarded to other agents.
4.4 Notifications inside Linear
In addition to email, matches are shown as in-app notifications in Linear under Announcements (the Bell icon in the top-right corner). When you open a notification, you’ll be taken directly to the match details.
4.5 Notification settings
In user settings, you can choose whether to receive search alert notifications by email. If email notifications are disabled, matches will still be listed in Linear.
You can edit the notification setting here: User settings -> General tab -> Search alert matches
5. Anonymous customer and privacy
In the Insider context, customer data privacy is a core principle.
5.1 Customer details remain hidden
When a search alert matches a listing published in Insider, the listing agent won’t see another agent’s search alert customer’s name, contact details, or other personal information. The customer is shown to the other party only via an anonymous identifier (a number sequence).
5.2 What information is shared
For an Insider match, the other party’s agent can see:
- The anonymous identifier (e.g. “Anonymous buyer #12345”)
- Match points (how many criteria matched)
- The search alert’s public notes, if any have been added
- General parameters of the customer’s search criteria (e.g. price range, preferred location), to the extent they have been marked as shareable
5.3 When the identity is revealed
More detailed customer information is only revealed once negotiations are started for the listing and the agent acting as the customer’s contact person decides it’s appropriate to share the details.
Good to know: Privacy protection works both ways: you can’t see the detailed information of other agents’ customers, and they can’t see your customers’ information either.
6. Viewing matches in Linear
6.1 Search alert matches in the listing view
When you open the detailed view of an Insider listing, you’ll see a list of potential buyers for the listing—customers whose search alerts match that listing. You can open a match to view more details.
6.2 Number of matches on the listing card
The listing card shows a small indicator that tells you how many matches there are. An orange indicator means matches have come in and you haven’t reviewed them yet.
6.3 Mark a match as seen
After reviewing the match details, you can mark it as seen. This keeps your match list up to date as new matches come in.
8. Frequently asked questions
8.1 Does the search alert cover public listings as well, not just Insider?
Yes. A single search alert works for both regular Linear listings and Insider listings. You’ll see matches for the same search alert in both contexts.
8.2 Can I receive notifications only for partial matches?
Email notifications are only sent for full matches. Partial matches are shown in the list in Linear, but not by email. If you want more matches by email, broaden your search criteria.
8.3 What happens if I delete a search alert?
All matches associated with the search alert will be removed. If you create the same search alert again, matches will start from scratch.
8.4 How often does the search alert run the comparison?
The search alert is real-time, meaning it triggers whenever a new listing is published, a listing is updated, or the search alert itself is changed. There is no separate schedule.
8.5 Can I share a search alert with my team?
A search alert is linked to one contact person, but matches are visible to everyone who has access to the customer. Only the search alert’s contact person receives the email notification. If you want multiple people to be notified, consider an internal team process or creating a second search alert.
8.6 What does the match percentage calculation base mean?
The match percentage formula is: matched criteria / all defined criteria. If the search alert only has a location, the match percentage is 100% whenever the location matches. If there are more criteria, each one must match to reach 100%.
8.7 How long do matches stay on the list?
Matches remain as long as the search alert and the listing exist and are active. When a listing is taken off the market (sold, rented, archived), the match is removed automatically.