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Proximity Search

Proximity Search

1
posts
2026

Proximity search is a technique that improves search relevance by ranking documents where search terms appear close to each other. This capability allows for more context-rich matches by considering word order and distance between terms, going beyond simple keyword matching. It is implemented through various operators and is crucial for applications requiring nuanced result ranking, such as academic research, legal search, and AI-driven search experiences. Meilisearch's implementation complements this by providing efficient full-text search capabilities.

2026

Proximity search: Improve relevance & deliver smarter results

2/24/2026

This post introduces and explains the concept of proximity search, detailing its definition, how it works based on distance and word order, and its importance for improving search relevance and user satisfaction. It contrasts proximity search with phrase search, outlines common use cases (academic research, legal search, AI, recruitment, enterprise), and provides examples of its implementation in Google (AROUND operator), PubMed (ADJ operator), and Boolean searches. The post also includes a step-by-step guide on implementing a proximity search algorithm, covering document parsing, building a positional inverted index, and matching queries based on defined distances, while also highlighting how Meilisearch simplifies this process.