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TechniquesLast updated: May 2026

Semantic Search

Search that understands meaning and context, not just matching words you type.

In Plain English

Semantic search looks at the intent and context behind what you're searching for, rather than simply matching keywords. Instead of looking for pages that contain exact words, it understands what you really mean—even if you use different words than the documents you're looking for. This works because AI models learn that words and concepts are related to each other. It matters because it finds answers you actually want, not just pages that happen to contain your search terms.

💡Real-World Example

If you search for 'best lunch spots near my office,' a semantic search engine understands you want restaurants within a certain distance and time of day—not just pages mentioning those exact words. A traditional keyword search might miss a great taco truck reviewed under 'street food near downtown.' Semantic search connects the concepts and shows you relevant places, even if the listings use different language.

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