FROM KEYWORDS TO MEANING: THE EVOLUTION AND IMPACT OF SEMANTIC SEARCH SYSTEMS

Abstract

This paper examines the paradigm shift from traditional keyword-based information retrieval to semantically driven search systems. By analysing the theoretical foundations, developmental milestones, and real-world applications of semantic search, the study demonstrates how advances in natural language processing (NLP), deep learning, and vector space modelling have fundamentally transformed the way humans interact with information systems. Special attention is given to transformer-based architectures such as BERT, which represent the current state of the art in understanding query intent and contextual meaning.