Create an animated lesson
On requestThis article is free to read. Creating a lesson uses your daily or stored credits; review the language and settings before starting.
How does semantic search work?
Quick answer
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.
Step by step
- It matches meaning, not just exact keywords.
- Text is turned into vectors that capture meaning.
- Closest vectors are the most relevant results.
- It handles synonyms, intent, and context well.
People also ask
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.
Part of the guide: How AI Works →