---
Title: "What Is Semantic Search? How It Works"
Url: "https://computer.io/glossary/semantic-search"
Topic: "AI foundations"
Description: "Semantic search finds results based on meaning and intent rather than exact keywords. How it works, semantic vs keyword search, and enterprise uses."
---

# What is semantic search?

Semantic search finds results based on the meaning and intent of a query rather than exact keyword matches, usually by comparing embeddings. A search for "can't sign in" can find an article titled "Login troubleshooting" even though the words differ.

## Semantic vs keyword search

|  | Keyword | Semantic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Matches | Exact words | Meaning |
| Synonyms | Missed | Found |
| Natural questions | Weak | Strong |

## Hybrid search

Many systems combine both: keywords for exact terms like error codes, semantic for meaning.

## Uses

Enterprise search, help centers, ticket deduplication and AI agent retrieval.

## FAQ

### Is Google semantic search?

Google uses semantic understanding along with many other signals.

### Does semantic search need AI?

Modern semantic search uses AI embedding models.

### What is hybrid search?

Combining keyword and semantic search for better results.

## Related terms

- [Embeddings](https://computer.io/glossary/embeddings)
- [Enterprise search](https://computer.io/glossary/enterprise-search)
- [Vector database](https://computer.io/glossary/vector-database)

## 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)