# Analyzing Neptune query execution using SPARQL `explain`
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Amazon Neptune has added a SPARQL feature named *explain*. This feature is a self-service tool for understanding the execution approach taken by the Neptune engine. You invoke it by adding an `explain` parameter to an HTTP call that submits a SPARQL query.

The `explain` feature provides information about the logical structure of query execution plans. You can use this information to identify potential evaluation and execution bottlenecks. You can then use [query hints](sparql-query-hints.md) to improve your query execution plans.

**Topics**
+ [How the SPARQL query engine works in Neptune](sparql-explain-engine.md)
+ [How to use SPARQL `explain` to analyze Neptune query execution](sparql-explain-using.md)
+ [Examples of invoking SPARQL `explain` in Neptune](sparql-explain-examples.md)
+ [Neptune SPARQL `explain` operators](sparql-explain-operators.md)
+ [Limitations of SPARQL `explain` in Neptune](sparql-explain-limitations.md)