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A query algorithm based on homomorphism counts is a procedure for determining whether a given instance satisfies a property by counting homomorphisms between the given instance and finitely many predetermined instances. In a left query algorithm, we count homomorphisms from the predetermined instances to the given instance, while in a right query algorithm we count homomorphisms from the given instance to the predetermined instances. Homomorphisms are usually counted over the semiring ℕ of non-negative integers; it is also meaningful, however, to count homomorphisms over the Boolean semiring 𝔹, in which case the homomorphism count indicates whether or not a homomorphism exists. We first characterize the properties that admit a left query algorithm over 𝔹 by showing that these are precisely the properties that are both first-order definable and closed under homomorphic equivalence. After this, we turn attention to a comparison between left query algorithms over 𝔹 and left query algorithms over ℕ. In general, there are properties that admit a left query algorithm over ℕ but not over 𝔹. The main result of this paper asserts that if a property is closed under homomorphic equivalence, then that property admits a left query algorithm over 𝔹 if and only if it admits a left query algorithm over ℕ. In other words and rather surprisingly, homomorphism counts over ℕ do not help as regards properties that are closed under homomorphic equivalence. Finally, we characterize the properties that admit both a left query algorithm over 𝔹 and a right query algorithm over 𝔹.