Chapter 2
Understanding the User Query
The user's query is rarely what they actually want. It's a low-resolution signal of a high-fidelity intent. To build great search, we must decode, expand, and rewrite this signal before it ever touches the index.
In This Chapter
2.1 What a Query Really Is
Why keywords are just the tip of the iceberg.
2.2 Types of Queries
Navigational vs Informational vs Transactional. Why it matters.
2.3 Intent vs Tokens
Moving from string matching to semantic understanding.
2.4 Power Laws
Why 20% of unique queries drive 80% of volume (The Head vs The Tail).
2.5 The Understanding Pipeline
Architecture of a query processing system, steps by step.
2.6 Rewriting & Expansion
Synonyms, spell check, and adding related concepts.
2.7 Handling Ambiguity
What does "Java" mean? Coffee, Island, or Code?