Searchplex ID Retrieval terminology registry

Method

Exact Match

Canonical ID https://id.searchplex.net/exact-match/

A matching method or query constraint that requires specified terms, values, or phrases to appear exactly as requested.

Also called

  • Exact-Match Search
  • Exact Phrase Search
  • Phrase Search

Scope

Exact match may refer to exact field-value matching, exact term matching, or exact phrase matching depending on the system. It is narrower than lexical retrieval generally and should not be used as a synonym for BM25 or keyword search.

Observed terms

  • Quoted Search industry
  • Phrase Match industry

Not equivalent to

  • Exact Match is not BM25. BM25 scores documents using term statistics; exact match requires specified terms, values, or phrases to match exactly.
  • Exact Match is not Keyword Search. Exact match is a specific matching constraint; keyword search is a broader search style that may or may not require exact matching.
  • Exact Match is not Lexical Retrieval. Exact match is one lexical matching behavior; lexical retrieval is the broader retrieval family using lexical features.
  • Exact Match is not Query Relaxation. Exact match requires literal matching; query relaxation loosens matching requirements.
  • Exact Match is not Semantic Search. Exact match requires literal matching; semantic search is meaning-oriented and may retrieve results without exact lexical overlap.
  • Exact Match is not Boolean Retrieval. Exact match is a matching constraint; Boolean retrieval is a query model using Boolean operators over terms or conditions.
  • Exact Match is not Known-Item Search. Known-item search describes a user goal of finding a specific item; exact match is a matching method that may help when the user knows an exact title, identifier, or phrase.
  • Exact Match is not Tip-of-the-Tongue Search. Exact match depends on precise terms, values, or phrases; tip-of-the-tongue search is needed when the user lacks the exact identifier.

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ID