What is semantic search?
Semantic search finds passages by meaning, not only by the exact words in the query. It usually relies on embeddings. Keyword search finds the words you typed. Hybrid search uses both.
Also called: hybrid search
In plain English
A customer says 'the thing that keeps the hose from kinking.' Keyword search on 'kinking' may miss a page titled 'hose guide.' Semantic search can land nearer that page. It can also land on a confident neighbor that is the wrong SKU. You still open the page. Search by meaning still misses exact codes. A part number, a SKU, or a street address should be matched as text, not as a vibe. If you only have semantic search, people will not find the invoice they can see on the screen. Keep a plain search beside it for the strings that must match exactly. Try a typo a customer would actually type. If only perfect spelling hits, the search is a filing trick, not a help.
How an owner would use it
Use it over a clean catalog or SOP set, not over every scan in the office. If keyword search on SKUs already works, keep it for SKUs. Use meaning search for messy questions from the floor.
Common mistakes
Semantic search is not a reason to delete product titles and trust vibes. SKUs, sizes, and prices still want exact match. A hybrid setup is often what you already need, and it is not a second product you must name. Do not point meaning search at old flyers plus the current book and hope it prefers the book.
A worked example
A hardware store
The hose question hits the right card
This is an illustration, not a customer result. A clerk types a customer's words into the shop assistant. Semantic search opens the hose-guide card instead of a random plumbing FAQ. The clerk reads the card and walks the customer to that hook. The chat does not invent a stock count.
Related terms
Prompts and guides
Questions owners ask
What is semantic search?
It is search that matches meaning, so a question can find a document that does not share the same keywords.
How do I use semantic search in a shop?
Point it at current product and process pages. Keep exact fields, like SKU and price, in the system that already stores them. Open the result before you quote it.
What is hybrid search?
Hybrid search mixes keyword match and meaning match. It is worth asking a vendor if they do it. It is not worth a separate project until plain search is failing on real questions.
Product guides are on AI apps for business.