Semantic vs Keyword Search

Experro offers two distinct search modes tailored to different use cases:

Feature	AI Search (Keyword Search)	Gen-AI Search (Semantic Search)
Core Approach	Direct term matching against titles, descriptions, and tags	Vector-based intent matching that understands meaning and context
Control & Precision	Exact control over which terms match; ideal for precise, governed setups	Automatic handling of synonyms, slang, and higher-level concepts without manual rules
Query Handling	Fuzzy matching (typo tolerance), prefix/suffix options, custom synonyms, stop-words, and phrase rules	Holistic interpretation of long-tail and conversational queries (“cozy winter boots”), as well as pure-image inputs
Multimodal Capabilities	Text-only search	Unified vector space for text + images—mix keywords, questions, or uploads seamlessly
Maintenance & Tuning	Requires ongoing manual tuning of synonyms, dictionaries, and phrase lists	Self-learning model that adapts to new products, trends, and visual styles with zero manual effort
Performance & Scalability	Lightweight footprint; predictable latency; suited for smaller catalogs or lower-traffic sites	Optimized for large, dynamic catalogs; minimal performance impact thanks to precomputed embeddings
Best-Fit Scenarios	Controlled environments requiring exact matches or strict governance	Ambitious brands needing richer relevance, zero-maintenance synonym management, and cutting-edge multimodal discovery

When to Use Which Mode

Start with Keyword Search for controlled, exact matches and minimal overhead. It’s a solid choice for smaller catalogs or when you need tight governance over term handling.
Upgrade to Semantic Search to unlock powerful Gen AI-driven discovery: richer relevance, true multimodal queries, and zero-maintenance synonym management—ideal for ambitious brands seeking a competitive edge.