Traditional keyword-based search is limiting e-commerce potential. Semantic search understands user intent and finds products even when exact keywords don't match. Here's how I built and scaled a semantic search system that increased product discoverability by 25%.
Why Semantic Search Matters
Users often search using different terms than those in product descriptions. A customer looking for 'comfortable running shoes' might miss products labeled as 'athletic footwear' or 'jogging sneakers'. This disconnect leads to poor product discovery, reduced sales, and frustrated customers who can't find what they need.
Conclusion
Semantic search transformed the e-commerce experience, leading to a 25% increase in product discoverability and an 18% improvement in conversion rates. The combination of FAISS for speed, transformers for quality, and Kubernetes for scalability creates an effective, production-ready search solution.
