A system and method for rearranging search operators of a search query are disclosed. In some example embodiments, a first initial search query is received from a first user. The first initial search query comprises at least one search operator and at least one search term. A first rewritten search query is generated based on the first initial search query. The generating of the first rewritten search query comprises rewriting at least one optional search operator in the first initial search query using at least one required search operator and at least one exclusion search operator in response to a determination that the first initial search query comprises the at least one optional search operator and does not comprise any required search operators. A first set of search results is generated for the first rewritten search query and caused to be presented to the first user.