SKU and brand
Protect strong exact routes from unnecessary semantic expansion.
Exact matches →Comparison
AI Search versus traditional keyword search.
The choice is not black and white. Exact matching remains essential for SKUs, brands and specific product names; AI signals can help with natural language, alternative formulations, and broader intent.
PartAI SearchTraditional Search
Exact identifiersMust protect exactnessVery suitable
Natural languageCan bring more contextDepending on literal terms
Semantic variationCan use meaning as a signalOften requires explicit rules
ExplainabilityRequires evaluation of multiple signalsOften more direct to explain
Best practiceHybrid with guardrailsStrong exact base
Hybrid thinking
Allow query type to determine which signal weighs the heaviest.
Broad intention
Use semantics for questions where meaning is more important than word overlap.
Semantic matching →Confidence
Allow uncertainty to determine when fallbacks or restrictions are needed.
ConfidenceEvaluation
Test both approaches on the same query set and relevance judgments.
Evaluation →Compare AI and traditional search on real queries.
The right balance is shown by your own product data, query mix and quality criteria.