Semantic Search
Semantic Search
A search technology that understands the meaning and context of words, not just exact keyword matches.
In Simple Terms
Semantic search is a system that finds information by understanding the meaning and intent behind your words, not just matching them letter for letter. It can surface related information that isn't directly included in your search terms. For example, this type of web search would show pages about an "internal medicine clinic" or "hospital" when you search for "somewhere to go when your stomach hurts."
Behind the Name
The word "semantic" relates to meaning, as in "semantics." Paired with "search," it signals exactly what this technology does: instead of just matching strings of characters, it searches by understanding the meaning behind the words you type.
Take a Closer Look!
Semantic search is a technology that produces results by analyzing not just the string of characters in your search term, but the meaning behind your words, the context, and what you're actually trying to find. Rather than simply checking whether a keyword appears somewhere, it uses AI and natural language processing to grasp the intent behind your search and find matching information.
In short, it's a search system that picks up on the nuance of your words. For example, if you search for "delicious ramen," it doesn't just look for the words "delicious" and "ramen" themselves — it also surfaces related information like "recommended ramen shops" or "well-reviewed noodle dishes." It's also resilient to variations in how terms are written and to synonyms, so you can get results close to what you're looking for even when you don't know the exact term for it.
This technology is used everywhere from internet search engines to product search on shopping sites and internal company data search. It's a key technology widely relied on to accurately deliver information that matches what the searcher actually intended.