Hybrid search combines keyword-based retrieval with semantic search to get the best of both approaches. Keyword search catches exact matches — specific codes, product names, precise phrases. Semantic search handles concept-based queries where the user's words do not match the document's terminology.
Combining them produces more complete and relevant results, particularly for enterprise knowledge bases where both precision and recall matter. A regulatory code search needs keyword precision. A natural language question about policy intent needs semantic understanding. Hybrid search handles both without requiring separate systems.
