BNI Tech Talk - Search, Connections and Groups (Feb 20, 2026)

Webinar summary for BNI Tech Talks (02/20/2026)

Quick recap

Jeremy Walsh, Director of Support for BNI Connect, hosted a Tech Talks session focused on search, connections, and groups functionality within the platform. He explained how members can optimize their profiles for better visibility through keywords, specialty fields, and video embeddings. Jeremy demonstrated the search capabilities, connection requests, and group discussions features, emphasizing that searches in BNI Connect use SQL queries rather than Google-style algorithms. He also previewed an upcoming March 7th feature that will add a new "Specialty" field to member profiles, allowing more precise self-description of business focus areas. The session concluded with Jeremy addressing numerous participant questions about profile management, notifications, and various platform features, while noting that BNI Academy would be discussed in next week's session.

Summary

BNI Tech Talks: Search and Connections

Jeremy, the Director of Support for BNI Connect, BNI Business Builder, BNI Plus, BNI Academy, and BNI Insights, welcomed participants from around the world to the BNI Tech Talks webinar. He introduced his support team and highlighted BNI's core values, emphasizing positive attitude as his favorite. Jeremy announced that the session would focus on search, connections, and groups, and he provided instructions for networking and submitting questions. He also mentioned that BNI Academy's launch had been postponed to the following week.

BNI Connect Search Optimization Overview

Jeremy discussed the functionality of BNI Connect, focusing on search, connections, and groups. He explained that members cannot opt out of being visible to other BNI members but can control the information shared. Jeremy emphasized the importance of keywords for being found in searches and introduced a new "Specialty" feature launching on March 7th, allowing members to customize their searchability. He also covered how to add video links to profiles and provided tips for optimizing searchability in BNI Connect.

BNI Connect Search Demonstration

Jeremy demonstrated how to use the search functionality in BNI Connect to find and connect with members. He explained the difference between exact matches and broader searches, as well as how to use filters to narrow down results. Jeremy also showed how to send connection requests and view member profiles, emphasizing the importance of sharing contact information to be found by others. He recommended setting privacy settings to share all information to facilitate connections within the network.

BNI Connect Platform Overview

Jeremy demonstrated how to use BNI Connect, explaining that it automatically manages chapter connections while allowing members to manually add or decline connection requests. He showed how to search for members in both the desktop and mobile versions of the platform, noting that the mobile app uses an advanced search interface. Jeremy also clarified the difference between rejecting and ignoring connection requests, explaining that rejection allows for a new request while ignoring prevents further contact.

BNI Connect Group Features Overview

Jeremy demonstrated how to use BNI Connect's group feature, explaining that members can join existing active groups or create new ones. He highlighted that groups must maintain activity to stay active, with dormant groups being closed after 90 days of inactivity. Jeremy showed examples of active groups like Interior Designers with 1,056 posts and 2,500 members, and explained how members can participate by joining or starting groups.

BNI Connect Platform Updates

Jeremy discussed updates and features of BNI Connect, including the upcoming BNI Academy launch, the ability to edit member specialties, and the lack of a BNI app at present. He clarified that BNI Academy will carry over previous assignments and certificates but will not have gamification or a points system. Jeremy also addressed questions about embedding videos, managing notifications, and submitting referrals, and he encouraged members to use the support site for further assistance.