---
Title: "What Is Enterprise Search? Definition and Examples"
Url: "https://computer.io/glossary/enterprise-search"
Topic: "AI foundations"
Description: "Enterprise search lets employees find information across all company apps and documents from one place, respecting permissions. How it works and AI uses."
---

# What is enterprise search?

Enterprise search is software that lets employees find information across all of a company's apps, documents and data sources from one search box, while respecting each person's access permissions. Modern enterprise search uses AI to answer questions directly, not just list documents.

## How it works

1. Connect sources (docs, tickets, CRM, chat).
2. Index content and permissions.
3. Understand the query.
4. Rank results or generate an answer with citations.

## Key features

| Feature | Why |
| --- | --- |
| Connectors | Cover all tools |
| Permission sync | Show only allowed content |
| AI answers | Save time |
| Freshness | Current data |

## Benefits

Less time searching, less duplicated work, faster support resolutions.

## FAQ

### What is the difference between enterprise search and web search?

Enterprise search covers private company data with permissions.

### What is AI enterprise search?

Enterprise search that generates answers using LLMs and company data.

### Do enterprise search tools respect permissions?

Good ones sync permissions so users only see what they can access.

## Related terms

- [Semantic search](https://computer.io/glossary/semantic-search)
- [Permission-aware AI](https://computer.io/glossary/permission-aware-ai)
- [Knowledge graph](https://computer.io/glossary/knowledge-graph)
- [How does enterprise search work?](https://computer.io/answers/how-does-enterprise-search-work)

## How Computer helps

- [Enterprise search and answers](https://devrev.ai/enterprise-search-and-answers)

## Compare

- [Devrev vs glean](https://devrev.ai/compare/devrev-vs-glean)

## Further reading

- [What is enterprise search](https://devrev.ai/blog/what-is-enterprise-search)