Vector Search is search technology that uses machine learning to create search results that are:
- Faster
- More accurate
- More personalized
Than ever before. This drives sales, encourages repeat customers, and proves your ability to offer a superior eCommerce search experience. For this reason, vector search is a game changer in the eCommerce sphere. Let’s take a deeper look.
How Does Vector Search Work?
Vector Search works through search indexing in machine learning (ML). ML continuously improves and learns through data input, that results in precise results compatible with search queries. The technology seeks to understand similarities between different datasets. It tries to understand inherent relationships and overlapping qualities between data, in order to find the most accurately matched partners.
Rather than results relying on keywords, vector search identifies results that align with consumer preferences. This means the results are human centric, personalized and deeply satisfying to the users.
The Importance Of Search
Ecommerce shoppers rely very heavily on search tools to get the products they want. High intent shoppers, especially, head straight to the search to receive their goals on site. The quality of search results says a lot about the overall quality of a site. Having additional features within site search such as:
- Images in drop down results
- Natural language processing
- Visual discovery
- Synonym & antonym search
- Searchandising
- Personalized search filters
All make a huge difference to the way a shopper will view your store. If shoppers can’t find what they are looking for, they are simply going to bounce to another site. Having an advanced site search will mean you retain customers, and vector search helps to achieve this.
Vector Search In Ecommerce
Vector search is an additional way to prove that your site search experience is on the next level. Even if the keyword search you are using is at the top of the game, it can never provide the human centric, fast and intuitive results that a vector search can. This is why it’s a game changer. Here are some ways that vector search really is a game changer.
Advanced Personalization
Personalization and site search are two key components of any successful eCommerce search strategy. Vector search enhances personalization through understanding customer preferences through previous activity and data. It can understand past purchase history to discover what shoppers would likely be searching for this time. This intuitive and smart system can make all the difference.
This is personalization beyond related product recommendations. It includes consumer preferences throughout the whole website, relayed in an organic and convenient manner. This will definitely boost your brand image.
Hidden Data Patterns
Sometimes shoppers don’t even know what they are searching for exactly; they just know they want something. Vector Search is well equipped and miles ahead of other platforms in order to show users what it is they actually need. It won’t just show you the products you are currently searching for, it will show you products you don’t even know are there- but that you want.
Through continuously analyzing and understanding consumer behavior, they can show you products that you would like to be recommended. This creates an exciting and intuitive product discovery journey. Users will feel as though their needs are being met, and this kind of an eCommerce experience is exactly what brands are trying to create.
Precise Visual Search
Multimodal search is gaining traction in the eCommerce world. Voice search technology as well as media search are becoming more popular. Users want to provide references via spoken word or images, as they don’t always have the correct words to type in. Vector search can take this in its stride, more so than other search functions. This is because vector search works on data similarities, which means that however the input is selected, a result can still be found.
As the technology in the eCommerce world races ahead, vector search is well equipped to keep up with all the latest trends, consumer demands and expectations.
Search Speed
There’s nothing more frustrating for customers than a slow search engine. Vector search ensures that the loading speed is lightning fast. This is because it relies on mathematical representations which is the most fast and efficient way to create accurate results. The faster the page load time, the more the consumer’s attention stays focussed. This means that they are far less likely to bounce, and if everything else in your eCommerce funnel is streamlined and optimized, you are very likely to make all the sales you could.
Conclusion
Vector search is such a game changer in the eCommerce industry because it enhances the users overall experience. From speed, efficiency, personalization and compatibility with new trends, it’s easy to see why it has had such an impact. It is redefining the way that users engage with eCommerce platforms, and only for the better. As we move forwards, we can expect to see far more vector search appearing across the eCommerce world, so getting involved early seems like a smart move.