> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.thousandeyes.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.thousandeyes.com/product-documentation/internet-insights/provider-intelligence/build-a-query.md).

# Build A Query

## Overview

The **Query Builder** is your starting point for every Provider Intelligence analysis. It allows you to define the scope of your evaluation by specifying time frames, locations, destinations, calculation methods, and metric priorities. The more precise your query, the more relevant your results.

![Query builder with time frame, locations, destinations, and metric ranking](/files/ElrhSdtXwQjyDMjN00ZC)

## Key Components

Your Provider Intelligence query consists of five main elements:

1. **Time Frame**: How much historical data do you want to use in comparing providers (1, 3, or 6 months).
2. **User Locations**: The source cities where provider performance will be evaluated.
3. **Destinations**: The target **Cloud Region(s)** or **Application(s)** for your analysis.
4. **Results Calculation**: Score against **Performance** only or **Performance & Stability**.
5. **Prioritized Metrics**: The order of importance for latency, loss, jitter, and (when applications are selected) Time to First Byte (TTFB).

Use the articles below to understand how the choice you make for each element affects your results.

## Related Articles

* [Set the Time Frame](https://docs.thousandeyes.com/product-documentation/internet-insights/provider-intelligence/build-a-query/set-the-time-frame)
* [Specify Results Calculation](https://docs.thousandeyes.com/product-documentation/internet-insights/provider-intelligence/build-a-query/specify-results-calculation)
* [Select User Locations](https://docs.thousandeyes.com/product-documentation/internet-insights/provider-intelligence/build-a-query/select-user-locations)
* [Choose Destinations](https://docs.thousandeyes.com/product-documentation/internet-insights/provider-intelligence/build-a-query/choose-destinations)
* [Prioritize Metrics](https://docs.thousandeyes.com/product-documentation/internet-insights/provider-intelligence/build-a-query/prioritize-metrics)

Once you have entered your selections in the query builder, click **Explore Providers** to [view your results](https://docs.thousandeyes.com/product-documentation/internet-insights/provider-intelligence/view-results/results-overview#viewing-the-results-table).