Benefits Of Using Vector Search

Vector search allows the potential for more relevant search results than ever before. This is because results are not just based on keywords, but also through other information such as product descriptions and user behavior. It looks for the links between qualities and relationships and items in a dataset. Rather than focusing on words, it focuses on concepts and connections. This obviously leads to a robust search. 

Benefits Of Vector Search

Through understanding features and nuances of products, search results are relevant, create more robust product recommendations and a highly optimized shopping experience. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits vector search has to offer.

Removes Reliance On Keywords

When keywords are the main element providing search results, this can create friction. If the keywords are wrong, or if the correct spelling isn’t used, often users can not find their results. This is a big problem for eCommerce, as stores rely heavily on search in order to make sales.

Through vector search not relying on keywords, but on connections and concepts between items in a dataset and the items being searched, this issue is removed. The search can be conducted in a more human-centric way than before, and be far more likely to return results.

More Relevant Results

Shoppers are able to search in more general terms via vector search, whilst relevance remains prioritized. For example, without needing to use specific keywords, they can use natural language to try and explain what they are looking for. In other words, they can search for a concept rather than something wildly specific. 

Within vector search, consider searches such as:

• Tents for summer camping
• Toys for small children
• Decorations for kitchen
• Shampoo for damaged hair

These would all create relevant results within a search engine powered by vector search. The search would understand the overall concepts, and provide results that matched the query. This would boost conversion rate and customer satisfaction.

Enriched User Experience

Shoppers hate to find a ‘0 Results’ page as much as merchants hate to know it’s been shown. Vector search removes the need for this to ever be the case. It returns relevant results, allows the users to search in the language most natural to them, and has real-time updates. This means that shoppers can always see the most up-to-date and relevant product information available. This leads to a more enriching browsing experience, longer sessions and an overall enriched user experience.

Faster Shopping Journey

High intent shoppers need to be able to find the products they are looking for in the most frictionless way possible. For high intent shoppers, the faster the shopping journey, the better. It removes time for changing their mind, and therefore reduces bounce rate or cart abandonment.

Vector representations means that the search space is focused on semantically similar items. This removes a lot of products that would not contribute to the buying journey. Streamlining the experience in this way creates more potential for sales.

Less Manual Work On Synonyms/Antonyms

Having a good system in place for synonym/antonym searches is necessary for an eCommerce store. However, this can be a time consuming process that involves tagging and manually categorizing products, or at the least checking these.

Vector search solves this problem through its machine learning techniques according to the language model it operates from. This opens up more time for optimization on other areas of your site.

Keeping Up With Evolving Language

Language is constantly evolving. The way people talk, the phrases and wording people use all have an impact on the way people will search. Vector search can keep up with these transformations in terminology. Keyword search is less flexible than vector search in this way.

Improved Personalized Recommendations

Vector search can power advanced personalization and recommendation systems. This increases upsell and cross-sell opportunities, and improves the overall user experience. Vector space can also be used within user profiles to optimize personalization across your site. 



Vector search creates an overall optimized user experience for your shoppers. Whilst creating a more advanced search, it also increases potential for better personalization, as well as smoothing out any kinks in the shopping journey. If you haven’t considered using vector search in your eCommerce store yet, now is a good time to start.