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Well-constructed queries determine the quality of your CatchAll results. This guide shows you how to write queries that return focused, relevant events.

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Quick checklist

Before submitting a query, review these recommendations:
Start here if you’re unsure about your query. Each point is explained in detail below.

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What CatchAll finds

CatchAll, by design, focuses on identifying and extracting real-world events — things that actually happen and get reported. The system queries a continuously updated index of 2+ billion articles, featuring time-sensitive, event-driven content. CatchAll is for finding events:
  • Acquisitions, funding rounds, product launches
  • Regulatory approvals, recalls, legal rulings
  • Executive changes, layoffs, facility openings
CatchAll is not for static content:
  • Product specifications or historical data tables
  • Educational content, how-to guides, or reference material
  • Evergreen articles or encyclopedic content
The difference:
  • Traditional search: “Information about clinical trials” → Articles explaining what clinical trials are
  • CatchAll: “Phase 3 clinical trial results for oncology drugs” → Every specific trial result with efficacy data, statistical significance, and trial identifiers
Find all seed-round funding in the AI space over $5M in January 2026
List all road infrastructure projects announced in the US, California
Data breaches at financial institutions over the last week

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Specify event type

An event is something that happens and gets reported. CatchAll can only find events that appear in published content—if something happens but isn’t reported anywhere, it’s not observable to the system. Target recognizable event types that get consistently reported:
Event CategoryExamples
BusinessAcquisitions, mergers, IPOs, funding rounds, bankruptcies
CorporateLayoffs, executive appointments, restructuring, earnings reports
RegulatoryFDA approvals, product recalls, legal rulings, policy changes
TechnologyProduct launches, patent filings, security breaches
IncidentsData breaches, workplace accidents, service outages
FinancialCredit downgrades, bond defaults, banking failures
InfrastructureConstruction starts, facility openings, plant closures
LegalLawsuit filings, settlements, consent decrees
This list is not exhaustive. CatchAll can find any event type that gets reported across authoritative web sources. If you can describe “what happened,” CatchAll can find it.
FDA drug approvals for rare diseases
(Specific agency + event type + category)

Tech company IPOs valued over $1B
(Industry + event type + threshold)

Executive departures at Fortune 500 companies
(Event type + company category)

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Add 2-4 details

Balance breadth and focus. Too few details returns everything; too many details returns nothing. Add 2-4 details like industry, threshold, or geography. 
AI company acquisitions over $50M
(Event type + industry + threshold)

Series B funding rounds for healthcare startups
(Stage + industry)

FDA drug approvals for oncology treatments
(Agency + event type + medical field)
Use the context parameter for extraction preferences. Keep your query focused on the core event.

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Stay within 30 days

CatchAll searches for events within a date window. If you don’t specify a timeframe in your query, the system uses a 5-day default. Maximum timeframe is 30 days. 
Tech IPOs announced this week
Recent cybersecurity incidents at healthcare companies
AI model releases in the past month
For monitors, the system automatically adapts time-based filters for recurring execution. See Configure monitors for monitor-specific guidance.

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Keep queries focused

Focused queries produce cleaner, more useful results. If your query combines multiple entities or event types, consider splitting it into separate queries. 
Apple acquisitions in AI sector
(Focused on one company's M&A activity)

Data breaches at healthcare companies 
(Focused on security incidents in one industry)

Series B funding rounds for fintech startups 
(Focused on one funding stage in one sector)

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See also