Semantic ↔ Lexical Balance is the first slider in Search Tuning. It sets how much of the ranking comes from the exact words a visitor types and how much from meaning, so a page that says the same thing in other words can still rank well.
What the number means
The number is the share of the ranking given to the exact words. Meaning gets the rest.
- 0.15, the default: meaning leads and the exact words add the rest.
- 0.50: words and meaning count the same.
- 1.00: only the exact words decide the order. Pages found only by meaning go to the end of the list. Useful when visitors search for codes, part numbers or names.
The slider goes from 0.10 to 1.00 in steps of 0.05, so the exact words always count for at least a tenth.
This slider sets the order of the results. Which pages can appear at all is set by Search Mode.
Change it
- Open Search Tuning in the settings of your index.
- Drag the Semantic ↔ Lexical Balance slider: left for Semantic, right for Lexical. The value shows on the right and is saved as you move.
- To go back to 0.15, click Reset next to the slider.
The slider appears when your index can use AI search, because it needs meaning to balance against.