Semantic search: Enhancing search capabilities by understanding user intent and contextual relevance.
Semantic search aims to improve the accuracy and relevance of search results by understanding the meaning behind user queries and the context in which they are made. Unlike traditional keyword-based search engines, semantic search engines use advanced techniques such as natural language processing, machine learning, and ontologies to extract and analyze the underlying meaning of search queries, providing more accurate and relevant results.
The evolution of search engines has led to the development of intelligent semantic web search engines, which leverage semantic web technologies to provide more meaningful search results. These search engines use ontologies, which are structured representations of knowledge, to better understand the relationships between different concepts and entities. By incorporating semantic analysis and personalization, search engines can classify documents into multiple categories and tailor search results based on user preferences and search history.
Recent research in semantic search has focused on various aspects, such as latent semantic search, ontology modeling, and object search in semantic shelves using large language models. For example, the Latent Semantic Search and Information Extraction Architecture paper proposes an autonomous search engine with adaptive storage consumption and configurable search scope, while the Semantic Web Search based on Ontology Modeling using Protege Reasoner paper describes a semantic approach to web search through a PHP application.
In practical applications, semantic search can be used in various domains, such as electronic dictionaries, e-commerce platforms, and search-embedded applications. For instance, the Khmer Word Search paper proposes solutions to challenges associated with Khmer word search, including character order normalization, grapheme and phoneme-based spellcheckers, and a Khmer word semantic model. Another example is the Semantic Jira paper, which presents a semantic expert recommender extension for the Jira bug tracking system, helping to avoid redundant work and support collaboration with experts.
Semantic search has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with information on the web. By understanding the meaning behind user queries and providing contextually relevant results, semantic search engines can offer a more efficient and effective solution for finding the information we need. As research in this area continues to advance, we can expect to see even more powerful and intelligent search engines that can better understand and cater to our needs.

Semantic search
Semantic search Further Reading
1.Latent Semantic Search and Information Extraction Architecture http://arxiv.org/abs/1912.00180v1 Anton Kolonin2.Intelligent Semantic Web Search Engines: A Brief Survey http://arxiv.org/abs/1102.0831v1 G. Madhu, Dr. A. Govardhan, Dr. T. V. Rajinikanth3.Semantic Web Search based on Ontology Modeling using Protege Reasoner http://arxiv.org/abs/1305.5827v1 Monica Shekhar, Saravanaguru RA. K4.From Occlusion to Insight: Object Search in Semantic Shelves using Large Language Models http://arxiv.org/abs/2302.12915v1 Satvik Sharma, Kaushik Shivakumar, Huang Huang, Ryan Hoque, Alishba Imran, Brian Ichter, Ken Goldberg5.Experience of Developing a Meta-Semantic Search Engine http://arxiv.org/abs/1311.6227v1 Debajyoti Mukhopadhyay, Manoj Sharma, Gajanan Joshi, Trupti Pagare, Adarsha Palwe6.Using multi-categorization semantic analysis and personalization for semantic search http://arxiv.org/abs/1406.7093v1 Yinglong Ma, Moyi Shi7.Khmer Word Search: Challenges, Solutions, and Semantic-Aware Search http://arxiv.org/abs/2112.08918v1 Rina Buoy, Nguonly Taing, Sovisal Chenda8.Semantic Jira - Semantic Expert Finder in the Bug Tracking Tool Jira http://arxiv.org/abs/1312.5150v1 Velten Heyn, Adrian Paschke9.End-to-end Semantic Object Detection with Cross-Modal Alignment http://arxiv.org/abs/2302.05200v1 Silvan Ferreira, Allan Martins, Ivanovitch Silva10.Semantic Advertising http://arxiv.org/abs/1309.5018v1 Ben Zamanzadeh, Naveen Ashish, Cartic Ramakrishnan, John ZimmermanSemantic search Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between semantic search and keyword search?
Semantic search aims to understand the meaning and context behind user queries to provide more accurate and relevant results. It uses techniques such as natural language processing, machine learning, and ontologies to analyze the underlying meaning of search queries. In contrast, keyword search relies on matching specific words or phrases in user queries to documents containing those words, without considering the context or meaning behind the query.
Can you provide an example of semantic search in action?
An example of semantic search in action is when a user searches for 'best places to eat pizza in New York.' A semantic search engine would understand that the user is looking for recommendations on pizza restaurants in New York City and provide results accordingly. It might also consider factors such as user preferences, location, and search history to tailor the results. In contrast, a keyword-based search engine might return results containing the words 'best,' 'places,' 'eat,' 'pizza,' and 'New York,' without understanding the context or intent behind the query.
Does Google use semantic search techniques?
Yes, Google uses semantic search techniques to improve the accuracy and relevance of its search results. Over the years, Google has implemented various updates and algorithms, such as the Knowledge Graph, Hummingbird, and BERT, to better understand user intent, context, and the relationships between different concepts and entities. These advancements have allowed Google to provide more meaningful and personalized search results to users.
In which domains can semantic search be applied?
Semantic search can be applied in various domains, such as electronic dictionaries, e-commerce platforms, and search-embedded applications. For example, it can be used to improve product search and recommendation systems on e-commerce websites by understanding user preferences and the relationships between different products. It can also be used in electronic dictionaries to provide more accurate and contextually relevant definitions and translations. Additionally, semantic search can be integrated into applications like bug tracking systems to help users find relevant information and collaborate more effectively.
How does natural language processing contribute to semantic search?
Natural language processing (NLP) is a subfield of artificial intelligence that focuses on enabling computers to understand, interpret, and generate human language. In the context of semantic search, NLP techniques are used to analyze user queries and extract meaning from them. This includes tasks such as tokenization, part-of-speech tagging, named entity recognition, and sentiment analysis. By processing and understanding the language used in search queries, semantic search engines can provide more accurate and contextually relevant results.
What are ontologies, and how do they relate to semantic search?
Ontologies are structured representations of knowledge that define the relationships between different concepts and entities. They provide a formal and explicit way to represent knowledge in a machine-readable format. In semantic search, ontologies are used to better understand the meaning behind user queries and the relationships between different concepts. By incorporating ontologies, semantic search engines can classify documents into multiple categories and provide more meaningful search results based on the relationships between concepts and entities.
What are some recent advancements in semantic search research?
Recent research in semantic search has focused on various aspects, such as latent semantic search, ontology modeling, and object search in semantic shelves using large language models. For example, the Latent Semantic Search and Information Extraction Architecture paper proposes an autonomous search engine with adaptive storage consumption and configurable search scope. Another example is the Semantic Web Search based on Ontology Modeling using Protege Reasoner paper, which describes a semantic approach to web search through a PHP application. These advancements contribute to the ongoing development of more powerful and intelligent semantic search engines.
Explore More Machine Learning Terms & Concepts