What is Cognitive Search

Definition

Cognitive search is search enhanced with AI that enriches content during indexing, applying skills such as entity extraction, key-phrase detection, and image analysis, so users can find information across unstructured data with relevance that goes beyond simple keyword matching.

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Enriches content with AI to make unstructured data searchable
Extracts entities, key phrases, and structure during indexing
Improves relevance beyond literal keyword matching
Unlocks search across documents, images, and mixed media

Glossary: Data Cleansing

Real World Example

A law firm uses cognitive search that extracts parties, dates, and clauses from contracts during indexing, so lawyers can search by those enriched attributes rather than only matching raw text.

FAQs

How does cognitive search differ from traditional search?

It applies AI enrichment during indexing, extracting structure and meaning so results are more relevant than keyword matching alone.

What AI skills does it apply?

Entity recognition, key-phrase extraction, language detection, OCR, and image analysis, among others.

What content can cognitive search handle?

Unstructured and mixed content including documents, images, and PDFs, enriched into searchable, structured form.