Query Match

What is Query Match?

Query match is the matching logic and score that connect a query to a result. It spans match types (exact/phrase/token/fuzzy/semantic), field priorities (title > attributes > description), and rules that trigger on specific queries (e.g., best bets, redirects, promotions).

How It Works (quick)

• Match types:
  • Exact/keyword fields for SKU/brand.
  • Phrase/bigram for common units (“air max 270”).
  • Fuzzy for typos (length-aware).
  • Semantic via vectors.
• Field weighting: BM25F or similar to weight title/attributes higher.
• Rules: If query matches pattern (brand-only, policy term), then redirect/promote or adjust boosts.
• Evidence & highlights: Show why a result matched (terms/phrases/entities).

Why It Matters in E-commerce

• Precision: Clean match logic keeps page one relevant.
• Control: Query-match rules route brand/navigational searches correctly.
• Explainability: Clear highlights build trust.

Best Practices

• Guardrails: Protect SKU/MPN/brand with exact fields; cap fuzzy and popularity boosts.
• Category-aware: Different match priorities per category (model names vs generic).
• Late-bound synonyms: Apply at query time; localize per market.
• Rule hygiene: Version and QA query-match rules; avoid over-broad patterns.
• Metrics: Track P@k/NDCG, zero-results, and redirect accuracy.

Challenges

• Over-expansion from synonyms, brittle rules, multilingual tokenization, and brand cannibalization.

Examples

• Query “gift card” → rule redirects to gift card landing.
• Query “gore tex jacket” → phrase match + normalized hyphen returns GORE-TEX jackets.
• Query “iphon 15 case” → fuzzy rescues typo; field boosts keep title hits on top.

Summary

Query match is the foundation of relevance and routing. Combine precise match types with a small set of audited rules, then let ranking balance quality and business goals.