# Hybrid search

Concept · [Building with AI](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/ai)

Also called: hybrid retrieval, keyword plus semantic search

Combining [keyword search](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/lexical-search) and [similarity search](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/similarity-search), so results match both exact terms, such as product codes, and overall meaning.

**For example:** A parts catalog uses hybrid search so 'XR-200 battery' finds the exact model number and also similar replacement batteries.

## Connects to (5)

- [Lexical search](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/lexical-search): Search that matches the exact words in a query.
- [Similarity search](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/similarity-search): Finding the stored items whose vectors are closest to a query's vector, so results match by meaning rather than exact words.
- [Reranking](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/reranking): A second pass in search where a more careful model reorders the first batch of results by how well each actually answers the question.
- [RAG](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/rag): Retrieval-augmented generation.
- [Vector database](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/vector-database): A database built to store embeddings and quickly find the items closest in meaning to a question, not just the ones that share its exact…

Map view: https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/hybrid-search