This is a weak form of in-silico search, in which the consensus sequence for the motif is compared to genomic positions and the number of mismatches (between candidate site and consensus) is used as a measure of site-quality.

In DNA affinity purification, DNA from promoter regions thought to be bound by the protein is labelled (e.g. biotinylated) and bound to beads (or some type of matrix). The protein is then left to interact with DNA and eventually eluted. Bound protein will remain attached to beads. This can be detected through gel electophoresis. The protein can then be sequenced by mass-spectrometry. The techinque can be used to demonstrate binding of a purified protein, or to purify the binding protein from crude extract or a mix of proteins.

Target-specific mutation, as opposed to non-specific mutation. In the context of TF-binding sites, site-directed mutagenesis is typically used to establish/confirm the specific sequence and location of a site, often in tandem with EMSA. Different positions of a putative binding site are mutated to non-consensus (or random) bases and binding to the mutated site is evaluated through EMSA or other means. Often implemented only in conserved motif positions or serially through all positions of a site.