Simpplr AI Search

Overview

Simpplr has always included powerful global search capabilities. As of December 15, 2025, we’re enhancing the intelligence behind the scenes and formally naming our search experience Simpplr AI Search.

You’ll still use search the same way — nothing changes for your users. What has changed is the underlying algorithm that now blends keyword search, semantic search, and AI-powered understanding to deliver more accurate, more intuitive, and more personalized results.

In this article, we’ll share how Simpplr AI Search has evolved and what you can expect from the newest enhancements.

Jump to a section: 

• How Simpplr AI Search has evolved 
• What’s new in Simpplr AI Search 
• Rollout plan and what to expect
• FAQs
• Do’s and Dont’s   

How Simpplr AI Search has evolved

Simpplr has always included smart, personalized global search. Over time, we’ve enhanced the intelligence behind the scenes so search continues to get faster, more accurate, and more intuitive. Here’s a quick snapshot of how it has evolved:

• Smart, machine-learning: Simpplr search began with a strong foundation using Elasticsearch and adaptive machine learning. Personalization, auto-suggestions, and recent searches help employees find information quickly.
• Early 2025: Simpplr introduced semantic search, enabling Simpplr to understand meaning, not just keywords. Search began understanding natural language and meaning, enabling more relevant results and direct answers to common questions.
• December 2025: We’re upgrading the algorithm to hybrid search, which combines keyword search, semantic signals, and AI-driven ranking for the most accurate and personalized results yet.

Each of these enhancements builds on the ones before it. Together, they form Simpplr AI Search. 

What’s new in Simpplr AI Search

This upgrade requires no action on your part, and your existing content will automatically work with the improved search. Permissions remain intact, your data stays secure, no content restructuring is required, and the search interface looks the same.

Simpplr AI Search brings two major improvements:

1. Hybrid Search - better relevance for every user
2. Smart Answers - direct answers for questions
   • If you have smart answers enabled, they remain enabled 
   • If you have smart answers disabled, they remain. To enable Smart Answers, go our support article for more details. 

Hybrid Search, explained 

Hybrid Search unifies keywords, semantic understanding, metadata freshness, and personalization, resulting in smarter, more intuitive search results with no change in user behavior.

Smart Answers, explained 

Smart Answers provide a short, accurate response at the top of search results when employees ask common questions, such as… 

“How many PTO days do I get?” or “How do I claim medical benefits?”

These answers are generated only from your organization’s approved content, never from public sources, and always respect permissions. Each Smart Answer includes a citation so employees can easily view the original document.

App managers can enable or disable Smart Answers if desired, but we recommend keeping it enabled so you can get the full value of Search and Smart Answers together. Learn more about Smart Answers.

Enterprise Search 

If your organization has the Enterprise Search add-on, users can now search across:

• Google Drive
• SharePoint
• OneDrive for Business
• Box
• Dropbox
• Confluence
• Jira
• 35+ supported connectors

All results follow your original permissions, so users only see what they’re authorized to access.

Tips for your end users

Employees don’t need to learn anything new to use Simpplr AI Search, but a few simple tips can help them get even more value from the enhanced experience. They’ll also notice improvements that make search feel faster, cleaner, and more intuitive. 

What they will experience: 

• Faster, more intuitive results powered by a smarter algorithm
• Instant Smart Answers for common questions (if enabled)
• Personalized results based on role, location, and permissions
• Easier discovery across connected tools (if Enterprise Search is enabled)

Tips to help them get the best results: 

• Employees can type full questions (e.g., “How many PTO days do I get?”) for the quickest answers.
• Try another phrasing: If results feel off, rewording the query can surface different results
• Be specific when possible: Adding details like “US,” “manager,” or “policy” can refine results
• Use short keywords for known items: Searching a file name or page title works as expected
• Check Smart Answer citations: For more context, employees can open the source content directly

For more do’s and dont’s go to the below section, “Do’s and Dont’s” 

Rollout plan & what to expect

We are rolling out Simpplr AI Search to customers gradually to ensure a smooth experience. You don’t need to take any action — your search algorithm will be updated automatically.

Before your update, you’ll receive a communication letting you know when the new enhancements are live in your environment. After a few weeks of use, we’ll send a short survey to gather your feedback and understand how the new search experience is working for your teams.

Your feedback is important, and it helps us continue improving search for all customers.

Frequently asked questions 

1. Will Smart Answers show information users shouldn’t see?

No. Smart Answers only summarize content the user already has access to.

2. Does Simpplr use our data to train AI models?

No. Your data is never used to train any external AI model.

3. Do we need to change our content for search to work?

No. Search automatically improves without restructuring.

4. Why do two employees see different results?

Because search respects permissions, role, region, and context.

5. Can Smart Answers be turned off?

Turning off Smart Answers is not recommended but app managers can disable it if needed.

6. Do I need to change how I search?

No, just search as you normally do. Simpplr now gives better, smarter results.

7. When should I use a short keyword search?

Use keywords when looking for a specific file, title, or name.

8. When should I type a full sentence or question?

Use questions when you want Simpplr to give a quick answer (Smart Answer) or not sure about the title. 

9. Why are my results different from someone else’s?

Results depend on your permissions, role, and region.

10.  Why do results feel more relevant than before?

The new Hybrid Search understands meaning, not just keywords.

11. Can I still find documents by exact names?

Yes, keyword searching still works the same. You can also select ‘exact match’ when looking at search results. 

12. Why do I sometimes see more files or pages than before?

The new search is better at finding useful content across your intranet.

13. Can Smart Answers show information I don’t have permission to see?

No, all answers follow your existing access permissions.

14. Does the search improve over time?

Yes, it learns which results people use to improve relevance.

15. What if I don’t get the result I expect?

Try adding a few more words (e.g., “HR”, “policy”, “travel”) as topics in content to refine results.

16. Do I have to learn anything new?

No, just search. Simpplr handles all the intelligence behind the scenes.

17. Why does the result change based on how I type my query?

Because Simpplr understands meaning, not just keywords, a more specific query gives more specific results.

18. What happens if I type a short keyword vs a full question?

Short keywords find exact pages or files; full questions may give you a Smart Answer.

19.  How do I get the best results with the new AI Search?

Use keywords for known items (“PTO policy”) and use full questions when you want a smart answer, or explanation or content with details based on meaning (“How many PTO days do I have?”).

Do’s and Dont’s

Do’s 

1. Do be specific when you know what you’re looking for.

    “PTO policy India” → much better results than “policy”.

2. Do use full questions when you want quick answers.

“How many PTO days do I get?” → Smart Answer appears when possible.

3. Do use keywords for known file names or page titles.

“Travel reimbursement form” will bring the document right up.

4. Do add context words if your organization has similar content.

Try: “travel policy US”, “expense form manager”, “HR onboarding guide” as topics to boost the relevancy 

5. Do expect results to differ by user.

Search respects your permissions, location, and role.

6. Do click on the Smart Answer citation if you want to read the full document.

Smart Answers summarize the content; the document is always accessible below.

7. Do try a second phrasing if the result feels off.

Hybrid Search understands meaning but improves with clearer intent.

Dont’s

1. Don’t expect Smart Answers for every question.

They only appear when accurate, trustworthy content exists.

2. Don’t assume a one-word search will always find the right item.

Broader queries return broader results - be specific when you can.

3. Don’t expect the same results as another colleague.

Permissions, role, and region influence personalized results.

4. Don’t assume Smart Answers use the internet.

They summarize your company’s documents only, never public data.

5. Don’t worry if results look different from the old search.

The new Hybrid Search ranks based on meaning + relevance, not just keyword matching.