Information Retrieval Questions Medium
A keyword-based search and a semantic search are two different approaches used in information retrieval systems.
A keyword-based search is the traditional method where the search engine matches the user's query with the keywords present in the indexed documents. It relies on the exact match of keywords to retrieve relevant documents. The search results are based on the frequency and relevance of the keywords in the documents. This approach is simple and fast but may not always provide accurate results as it does not consider the context or meaning of the query.
On the other hand, a semantic search aims to understand the meaning behind the user's query and the context in which it is used. It goes beyond the literal interpretation of keywords and focuses on the intent and concept behind the query. Semantic search engines use natural language processing techniques, ontologies, and machine learning algorithms to analyze the query and the content of the documents. This approach allows for a more nuanced understanding of the user's query and provides more accurate and relevant search results.
In summary, the main difference between a keyword-based search and a semantic search lies in the way they interpret and process the user's query. While a keyword-based search relies on exact keyword matches, a semantic search focuses on understanding the meaning and context of the query to provide more accurate and relevant results.