Filtering by employee count in Power Search may exclude relevant companies—this article explains why and offers tips to refine your search.
1. Industry Structure and Company Size
Certain industries, such as independent medical practices, small retail operations, or boutique consulting firms, are predominantly composed of small or individually operated businesses. These companies often fall below the reporting thresholds that mandate the disclosure of detailed information like employee numbers. As a result, such data is frequently missing from public records, making these businesses less visible when filtering by employee count in databases. For instance, pharmacies in Germany commonly operate under legal forms that do not require the publication of employee figures, despite being fully active and legally registered entities.
2. Legal Disclosure Requirements
In many jurisdictions, the extent of a company's financial and structural disclosure obligations depends on its legal form and size. Smaller businesses, especially those categorized as "micro" or "small" under commercial law, are not required to disclose the number of employees in their filings. Even incorporated entities like limited liability companies (e.g., GmbH in Germany) may submit abbreviated reports that omit this data. This significantly limits the effectiveness of employee-based search filters in these industries.
3. Data Availability and Privacy Considerations
Beyond legal obligations, not all businesses voluntarily publish detailed information about their workforce, particularly in competitive or regulated industries. Employee numbers might be considered sensitive data, especially for firms operating in sectors where headcount could give insights into market share or strategy.
Tips for Better Search Results
If you’re conducting research or due diligence in industries with many small players, keep in mind that:
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Employee-based filters may exclude relevant companies simply because the data is unavailable.
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It’s often better to start with broader filters and then refine based on other parameters like revenue, location, or legal form.
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Manual verification through company websites or local registries may be necessary for more accurate information.