How do I filter by industry (SIC or NAICS)?

When building a business or consumer list in Salesgenie, you can narrow your results by filtering using industry classification codes. These codes are universal standards the U.S. government uses to categorize businesses by type of activity.

There are two systems you can use:

SIC Codes (Standard Industrial Classification):A four-digit code system created in 1937 and maintained by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The government stopped updating the SIC system in 1987. Traditional Yellow Pages categories were built on SIC codes.

NAICS Codes (North American Industry Classification System):NAICS is a newer system that uses 6-digit codes to provide more modern and detailed business categories. These codes are updated every five years to keep the system aligned with changes in the North American economy. NAICS Codes were developed jointly by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico in 1997 to replace the SIC system. Both systems organize businesses by broad groups first, then drill down into specific business activities. For example, the first two digits represent a major industry group, while additional digits identify subcategories. There are thousands of possible classifications.

Ways to Filter by Industry in Salesgenie

Salesgenie offers several options for finding businesses by industry:

Industry by Keyword (SIC): Search using SIC-related keywords. For example, typing “plumbing” returns businesses with SIC codes tied to plumbing services.
Industry by Keyword (NAICS): Search using NAICS-related keywords. For example, typing “software” returns businesses categorized under relevant NAICS software industries.
Industry by Codes (SIC): Enter one or more specific SIC codes if you know them.
Industry by Codes (NAICS): Enter one or more specific NAICS codes if you know them.
Major Industry Group: Search with 2, 4, or 6-digit SIC codes to focus on broader or narrower industry levels.

Using Keywords and Codes Together

Sometimes searching by keyword alone produces too many results, while searching by code alone may feel too broad. Combining keywords and SIC/NAICS codes allows you to create a highly targeted search that balances precision and flexibility.

This approach helps you zero in on the exact businesses you want—filtering out irrelevant industries while still capturing the variety of businesses that match your keyword.

Typing a code alone (e.g., 52) searches for businesses under the SIC “Building Materials & Hardware” major group.
Typing a keyword alone (e.g., hardware) searches all industry groups with that term.
Typing a code + keyword together (e.g., 52 hardware) searches specifically within the “Building Materials & Hardware” group for matches containing “hardware.”

Search Primary Industry Only

Some businesses operate in multiple categories. For example:
A restaurant may also provide catering.
A dentist may also offer orthodontics.
An insurance agent may also sell financial services.
If you only want to target businesses by their primary line of business, select Search Primary Only.
- For example: To find auto body shops without including new car dealerships that happen to offer auto body services, use "Search Primary Only."

Pro Tips for Better Search Results

Use partial codes for broader searches: To explore an entire industry group, start with the first two digits of an SIC or NAICS code.
Start broad, then refine: Enter a keyword to see options, then add a code to narrow results.
Think like your customer: Try different terms—e.g., “hardware,” “building hardware,” or “construction supply”—to see the best matches.

You can start your search by typing the industry keyword or entering the code number. Once you start typing, suggested industries will appear. You need to check the empty box next to the code you’re interested in to add it to your filter criteria.

Pro Tip: Typing “hardware” or “building hardware” will search for that keyword across all industry heading types. Since 52 represents an industry in Retail Trade, typing “52 hardware” will search the Building Materials & Hardware Major Industrial Group (“52”) for lines (or types) of businesses with “hardware” in the industrial classification name.

Search Primary Only: Many companies have multiple lines of business. Restaurants may offer catering services, a dental practice may provide dentistry and orthodontic services, and insurance agents often offer other financial services. By selecting “Search Primary Only,” you restrict your search to companies with that line of their business as their most important.

For instance, to find auto body shops but not new car dealerships with auto body services, select “Search Primary Only” when searching for auto body services.

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