Technology
How does semantic search work?
Semantic search finds results by meaning, not just matching keywords. It converts your query and documents into numerical vectors that capture meaning, then returns the closest matches — so it understands intent, synonyms, and context far better than keyword search.
See it in motion.
Watch a 2-minute animated lesson that shows exactly how semantic search works.
Step by step
- 1It matches meaning, not just exact keywords.
- 2Text is turned into vectors that capture meaning.
- 3Closest vectors are the most relevant results.
- 4It handles synonyms, intent, and context well.
Frequently asked questions
- How does semantic search work?
- It converts queries and content into meaning-based vectors and returns the closest matches by meaning.
- How is semantic search different from keyword search?
- Keyword search matches exact words; semantic search understands meaning, synonyms, and intent.
- What powers semantic search?
- AI embeddings that represent meaning numerically, usually stored in a vector database.