Semantic Search
Search that understands meaning and intent rather than just matching keywords.
Definition
Semantic search is an information retrieval approach that understands the meaning and intent behind queries rather than simply matching keywords. Using embeddings and vector similarity, semantic search finds conceptually related content even when exact terms don't match.
This technology powers modern search experiences, RAG systems, and recommendation engines. Semantic search understands that "how to fix a leaky faucet" and "plumbing repair for dripping tap" are asking the same thing, even with no words in common.
Why It Matters
Traditional keyword search fails when users don't know the exact terminology. Semantic search dramatically improves information discovery by understanding what users actually mean.
For businesses, semantic search improves customer experience, reduces support burden, and makes knowledge bases genuinely useful.
Examples in Practice
An e-commerce site's semantic search returns hiking boots when a customer searches for "shoes for mountain trails" despite no keyword match.
A knowledge base finds relevant troubleshooting articles even when support agents describe problems in non-technical language.
A legal research platform uses semantic search to surface relevant precedents based on case concepts rather than exact citation terms.