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Create Advanced X Listening Queries (Guided or Custom Rules)

This guide shows how to build advanced X listening queries in BrandBastion so you capture real conversations and route replies from the right brand handle.

When to use X listening queries

Use X listening queries when you need a filtered stream of posts (tweets), replies, quote tweets, and reposts (retweets) based on keywords, accounts, and operators, then respond directly from BrandBastion.

Use cases:

  • Spot early buzz or backlash around launches and jump in before the thread runs away.

  • Monitor high-risk keywords, brand narratives, or competitor comparisons and respond fast with the right account.

  • Capture replies, quote posts, and amplification so reporting reflects the full conversation, not just the original post.

📌 Note
X listening (queries) is not available in every workspace. If you do not see X in the Asset dropdown, contact your BrandBastion admin or CSM.

Create a listening source

  1. Go to Add listening source.

  2. Select an Asset (X handle).
    This becomes the default identity used when replying to items from this listening source.

  3. Enter a Listening source name (required).
    Keep it specific and operational (example: Product launch - US).

  4. Choose your build mode:

    • Guided query (default): form-based builder that generates a rule.

    • Write your own: free-text rule builder for power users.

  5. Review the Preview (read-only). This is the final rule string sent to X.

  6. Click Add new source to save.

🚨 Alert
Saving is blocked if the final rule string exceeds 2,048 characters (Guided or Write your own).

Option 1: Guided query

Guided query maps your form selections into a single X Filtered Stream rule string.

Words

Use these fields to control keyword and phrase matching:

  • All of these words
    Adds all terms with AND behavior (space-separated in X syntax).
    Example: brand strategy

  • This exact phrase
    Adds a quoted phrase.
    Example: "limited edition"

  • Any of these words
    Adds OR behavior across terms.
    Example: discount OR coupon OR promo

  • None of these words
    Adds exclusions with -.
    Example: -spam -fake -scam

  • These hashtags
    Adds hashtag tokens.
    Example: #NewLaunch OR #ProductReview

Language

  • Selecting a language adds lang:<code> (BCP 47), for example: lang:en.

Accounts

Use account filters to scope who is posting, who is being replied to, and who is being mentioned:

  • From these accounts → from:<handle> with OR grouping when multiple
    Example: from:BrandOfficial OR from:BrandSupport

  • To these accounts → to:<handle> with OR grouping when multiple
    Example: to:CustomerCare OR to:Helpdesk

  • Mentioning these accounts → @<handle> with OR grouping when multiple
    Example: (@Brand OR @BrandSupport)

Profile and user metrics

These map to operators when supported:

  • Bio keywords → bio:<keyword> or bio:"exact phrase"

  • Min/Max followers → followers_count:min..max

  • Min/Max posts → tweets_count:min..max

  • Verified authors only → is:verified

Post-type and content filters

These toggles map to X operators:

  • Include replies

    • ON → adds is:reply

    • OFF → excludes replies (implemented as an exclusion in the final rule)

  • Has links → has:links

  • Has media (photos, GIFs, videos) → has:media

  • Exclude promoted posts → -is:nullcast

  • Include Quote Tweets → is:quote

  • Include Retweets → is:retweet

Option 2: Write your own

Use Write your own when you want full control over the rule string, including grouping, proximity, and complex exclusions.

Character limit

  • Maximum 2,000 characters in the editor.

Supported boolean logic and operators

Use these building blocks to create precise, testable rules.

Boolean keywords

  • OR: cat OR dog

  • AND (space): cat dog

  • Grouping: (cat OR dog) has:links

  • Negation: -grumpy (excludes tokens/expressions)

Keywords and phrases

  • Keyword token match: coffee

  • Exact phrase: "wireless earbuds"

  • Proximity match (max N=6): "climate change"~3

  • Emoji: (☀️ OR 🌈)

Entities and account tokens

  • Hashtag: #photography

  • Mention: @official_account

  • Cashtag: $AAPL

Common filters

  • From / to / retweets-of:

    • from:verified_user

    • to:customer_support

    • retweets_of:popular_creator

  • Post type:

    • is:reply

    • is:quote

    • is:retweet

    • is:verified

    • -is:nullcast

  • Content type:

    • has:links

    • has:media

    • has:hashtags

    • has:cashtags

Language

  • lang:en (BCP 47)

Replying from BrandBastion

Each X listening item includes a Reply action:

  • Opens the composer with the default asset set to the listening source’s selected Asset.

  • Includes thread context when available.

  • Sends a reply to X using standard reply behavior.

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Release Notes 2024
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