“Please stay on the line. Our next available agent will take your call as soon as possible.”
We're sure everyone has encountered such an annoying situation like this when you are stuck on hold just to get a simple question answered. Some would say that it’s in these moments, where you actually realize how long seconds and minutes can actually be. It’s when you are basically just waiting for time to pass while listening to the most horrible quality music on speaker phone until some random help center agent picks up and “is ready to assist you”. Finally, just after 30 minutes spent in the cycle of constant irritation being thanked “for your patience” about 15 times, you’re in luck. A random employee answers the phone and you are at last able to ask your question, if you can even remember what you wanted to ask 30 minutes ago.
Searching can be hard...
As you can see, not being able to find information on a website can not only be time consuming but also very frustrating.
When looking at the probable bad experience website users encounter every day, we honestly wonder why organizations still go through such an exhausting process of trying to find the information we are looking for when there is the possibility to avoid this nonsense.
One popular solution many websites use to avoid this problem is to implement a search bar.
With research showing that around 21% of users specifically search to find specific information, it seems that implementing a search bar on websites definitely makes it easier to find what you are looking for - but to what extent?
Looking at the search bars that are currently in use, we are still indirectly asked to comply with traditional search algorithms. A common example of this would be us needing to use specific key words in our search query in order for us to find successful results. As we are normally also forced to type keywords, successful results are even harder to obtain due to spelling mistakes, or simply not being able to type.
... But it doesn't have to be
Semantic search liminates this problem, by using the actual underlying meaning of your search to help you find the accurate information that you are looking for.
With the help of artificial intelligence, the semantic search algorithm understands what information you are trying to find without you having to use understandable and “algorithm friendly” language necessary in traditional search engines. This means that since keywords are no longer necessary, utilizing synonyms or making spelling mistakes isn’t an obstacle anymore and won't prevent you from getting relevant search results.
And what if you are simply tired or are having trouble with typing your questions?
Well, you also won’t have to worry about that either. Semantic search also implies offering voice-activated search, creating equal opportunities for a good experience with assisting and providing results for everyone by simply just asking straightforward questions.
Concluding
Semantic search is seen as the key to unlocking a new door that increases accessibility for all website users. It is up to you to decide what feeling and experience you want to offer your website visitors.