semantic ranker

Author: HeidiSteen

articles/search/hybrid-search-how-to-query.md

@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ To improve relevance, use these parameters:
 
 + A search index containing `searchable` vector and nonvector fields. See [Create an index](search-how-to-create-search-index.md) and [Add vector fields to a search index](vector-search-how-to-create-index.md).
 
-+ (Optional) If you want [semantic ranking](semantic-how-to-configure.md), your search service must be Basic tier or higher, with [semantic ranking enabled](semantic-how-to-enable-disable.md).
++ (Optional) If you want the [semantic ranker](semantic-search-overview.md), your search service must be Basic tier or higher, with [semantic ranker enabled](semantic-how-to-enable-disable.md).
 
 + (Optional) If you want text-to-vector conversion of a query string, [create and assign a vectorizer](vector-search-how-to-configure-vectorizer.md) to vector fields in the search index.
 
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ api-key: {{admin-api-key}}
 
 ## Semantic hybrid search
 
-Assuming that you [enabled semantic ranking](semantic-how-to-enable-disable.md) and your index definition includes a [semantic configuration](semantic-how-to-query-request.md), you can formulate a query that includes vector search and keyword search, with semantic ranking over the merged result set. Optionally, you can add captions and answers. 
+Assuming that you [enabled semantic ranker](semantic-how-to-enable-disable.md) and your index definition includes a [semantic configuration](semantic-how-to-query-request.md), you can formulate a query that includes vector search and keyword search, with semantic ranking over the merged result set. Optionally, you can add captions and answers. 
 
 ```http
 POST https://{{search-service-name}}.search.windows.net/indexes/{{index-name}}/docs/search?api-version=2024-07-01
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ api-key: {{admin-api-key}}
 
 **Key points:**
 
-+ Semantic ranking accepts up to 50 results from the merged response.
++ Semantic ranker accepts up to 50 results from the merged response.
 
 + "queryType" and "semanticConfiguration" are required.
 
@@ -353,9 +353,9 @@ Both "k" and "top" are optional. Unspecified, the default number of results in a
 > [!NOTE]
 > The semantic ranker can take up to 50 results. 
 
-If you're using semantic ranking in 2024-05-01-preview API, it's a best practice to set "k" and "maxTextRecallSize" to sum to at least 50 total.  You can then restrict the results returned to the user with the "top" parameter. 
+If you're using semantic ranker in 2024-05-01-preview API, it's a best practice to set "k" and "maxTextRecallSize" to sum to at least 50 total.  You can then restrict the results returned to the user with the "top" parameter. 
 
-If you're using semantic ranking in previous APIs do the following:
+If you're using semantic ranker in previous APIs do the following:
 
 + if doing keyword-only search (no vector) set "top" to 50
 + if doing hybrid search set "k" to 50, to ensure that the semantic ranker gets at least 50 results. 

articles/search/hybrid-search-overview.md

@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ Key points include:
 + `select` specifies which fields to return in results, which can be text fields that are human readable.
 + `filters` can specify geospatial search or other include and exclude criteria, such as whether parking is included. The geospatial query in this example finds hotels within a 300-kilometer radius of Washington D.C.
 + `facets` can be used to compute facet buckets over results that are returned from hybrid queries.
-+ `queryType=semantic` invokes semantic ranking, applying machine reading comprehension to surface more relevant search results.
++ `queryType=semantic` invokes semantic ranker, applying machine reading comprehension to surface more relevant search results.
 
 Filters and facets target data structures within the index that are distinct from the inverted indexes used for full text search and the vector indexes used for vector search. As such, when filters and faceted operations execute, the search engine can apply the operational result to the hybrid search results in the response.
 
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ A response from the above query might look like this:
 
 Hybrid search combines the strengths of vector search and keyword search. The advantage of vector search is finding information that's conceptually similar to your search query, even if there are no keyword matches in the inverted index. The advantage of keyword or full text search is precision, with the ability to apply semantic ranking that improves the quality of the initial results. Some scenarios - such as querying over product codes, highly specialized jargon, dates, and people's names - can perform better with keyword search because it can identify exact matches.
 
-Benchmark testing on real-world and benchmark datasets indicates that hybrid retrieval with semantic ranking offers significant benefits in search relevance.
+Benchmark testing on real-world and benchmark datasets indicates that hybrid retrieval with semantic ranker offers significant benefits in search relevance.
 
 The following video explains how hybrid retrieval gives you optimal grounding data for generating useful AI responses.
 

articles/search/hybrid-search-ranking.md

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ ms.service: cognitive-search
 ms.custom:
   - ignite-2023
 ms.topic: conceptual
-ms.date: 06/12/2024
+ms.date: 09/24/2024
 ---
 
 # Relevance scoring in hybrid search using Reciprocal Rank Fusion (RRF)
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ The following chart identifies the scoring property returned on each match, algo
 | hybrid search | `@search.score` | RRF algorithm | Upper limit is bounded by the number of queries being fused, with each query contributing a maximum of approximately 1 to the RRF score. For example, merging three queries would produce higher RRF scores than if only two search results are merged. |
 | semantic ranking | `@search.rerankerScore` | Semantic ranking | 0.00 - 4.00 |
 
-Semantic ranking doesn't participate in RRF. Its score (`@search.rerankerScore`) is always reported separately in the query response. Semantic ranking can rerank full text and hybrid search results, assuming those results include fields having semantically rich content.
+Semantic ranking occurs after RRF merging of results. Its score (`@search.rerankerScore`) is always reported separately in the query response. Semantic ranker can rerank full text and hybrid search results, assuming those results include fields having semantically rich content. It can rerank pure vector queries if the search documents include text fields that contain semantically relevant content.
 
 ## Weighted scores
 

articles/search/retrieval-augmented-generation-overview.md

@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ There's no query type in Azure AI Search - not even semantic or vector search -
 |---------------|---------|------------|
 | [Simple or full Lucene syntax](search-query-create.md) | Query execution over text and nonvector numeric content | Full text search is best for exact matches, rather than similar matches. Full text search queries are ranked using the [BM25 algorithm](index-similarity-and-scoring.md) and support relevance tuning through scoring profiles. It also supports filters and facets. |
 | [Filters](search-filters.md) and [facets](search-faceted-navigation.md) | Applies to text or numeric (nonvector) fields only. Reduces the search surface area based on inclusion or exclusion criteria. | Adds precision to your queries. |
-| [Semantic ranking](semantic-how-to-query-request.md) | Re-ranks a BM25 result set using semantic models. Produces short-form captions and answers that are useful as LLM inputs. | Easier than scoring profiles, and depending on your content, a more reliable technique for relevance tuning. |
+| [Semantic ranker](semantic-how-to-query-request.md) | Re-ranks a BM25 result set using semantic models. Produces short-form captions and answers that are useful as LLM inputs. | Easier than scoring profiles, and depending on your content, a more reliable technique for relevance tuning. |
   [Vector search](vector-search-how-to-query.md) | Query execution over vector fields for similarity search, where the query string is one or more vectors. | Vectors can represent all types of content, in any language. |
 | [Hybrid search](hybrid-search-how-to-query.md) | Combines any or all of the above query techniques. Vector and nonvector queries execute in parallel and are returned in a unified result set. | The most significant gains in precision and recall are through hybrid queries. |
 
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ Here are some tips for maximizing relevance and recall:
 
   + [Scoring profiles](index-add-scoring-profiles.md) that boost the search score if matches are found in a specific search field or on other criteria.
 
-  + [Semantic ranking](semantic-ranking.md) that re-ranks an initial results set, using semantic models from Bing to reorder results for a better semantic fit to the original query.
+  + [Semantic ranker](semantic-ranking.md) that re-ranks an initial results set, using semantic models from Bing to reorder results for a better semantic fit to the original query.
 
   + Query parameters for fine-tuning. You can [bump up the importance of vector queries](vector-search-how-to-query.md#vector-weighting) or [adjust the amount of BM25-ranked results](vector-search-how-to-query.md#maxtextsizerecall-for-hybrid-search-preview) in a hybrid query. You can also [set minimum thresholds to exclude low scoring results](vector-search-how-to-query.md#set-thresholds-to-exclude-low-scoring-results-preview) from a vector query.
 

articles/search/samples-dotnet.md

@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ Code samples from the Azure SDK development team demonstrate API usage. You can
 | [Indexing documents (push model)](https://github.com/Azure/azure-sdk-for-net/blob/main/sdk/search/Azure.Search.Documents/samples/Sample05_IndexingDocuments.md) | "Push" model indexing, where you send a JSON payload to an index on a service.   |
 | [Encryption key sample](https://github.com/Azure/azure-sdk-for-net/blob/main/sdk/search/Azure.Search.Documents/samples/Sample06_EncryptedIndex.md) | Demonstrates using a customer-managed encryption key to add an extra layer of protection over sensitive content.  |
 | [Vector search sample](https://github.com/Azure/azure-sdk-for-net/blob/main/sdk/search/Azure.Search.Documents/samples/Sample07_VectorSearch.md) | Shows you how to index a vector field and perform vector search using the Azure SDK for .NET. |
-| [Semantic ranking sample](https://github.com/Azure/azure-sdk-for-net/blob/main/sdk/search/Azure.Search.Documents/samples/Sample08_SemanticSearch.md) | Shows you how to configure semantic ranking in an index and invoke semantic queries using the Azure SDK for .NET. |
+| [Semantic ranking sample](https://github.com/Azure/azure-sdk-for-net/blob/main/sdk/search/Azure.Search.Documents/samples/Sample08_SemanticSearch.md) | Shows you how to configure semantic ranker in an index and invoke semantic queries using the Azure SDK for .NET. |
 
 ## Doc samples
 
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ Code samples from the Azure AI Search team demonstrate features and workflows. A
 |-------------|------------------|---------|
 | [create-mvc-app](https://github.com/Azure-Samples/azure-search-dotnet-samples/tree/main/create-mvc-app) |  [Tutorial: Add search to an ASP.NET Core (MVC) app](tutorial-csharp-create-mvc-app.md) | While most samples are console applications, this MVC sample uses a web page to front the sample Hotels index, demonstrating basic search, pagination, and other server-side behaviors.|
 | [quickstart](https://github.com/Azure-Samples/azure-search-dotnet-samples/tree/main/quickstart/v11) | [Quickstart: Full text search using the Azure SDKs](search-get-started-text.md) | Covers the basic workflow for creating, loading, and querying a search index in C# using sample data. |
-| [quickstart-semantic-search](https://github.com/Azure-Samples/azure-search-dotnet-samples/blob/main/quickstart-semantic-search/) | [Quickstart: Semantic ranking using the Azure SDKs](search-get-started-semantic.md) | Shows the index schema and query request for invoking semantic ranking. |
+| [quickstart-semantic-search](https://github.com/Azure-Samples/azure-search-dotnet-samples/blob/main/quickstart-semantic-search/) | [Quickstart: Semantic ranking using the Azure SDKs](search-get-started-semantic.md) | Shows the index schema and query request for invoking semantic ranker. |
 | [search-website](https://github.com/Azure-Samples/azure-search-static-web-app) | [Tutorial: Add search to web apps](tutorial-csharp-overview.md) | Demonstrates an end-to-end search app that includes bulk upload using the push APIs and a rich client for hosting the app and handling search requests.|
 | [tutorial-ai-enrichment](https://github.com/Azure-Samples/azure-search-dotnet-samples/tree/main/tutorial-ai-enrichment)  | [Tutorial: AI-generated searchable content from Azure blobs](cognitive-search-tutorial-blob-dotnet.md) | Shows how to configure an indexer and skillset. |
 | [multiple-data-sources](https://github.com/Azure-Samples/azure-search-dotnet-scale/tree/main/multiple-data-sources)  | [Tutorial: Index from multiple data sources](tutorial-multiple-data-sources.md). | Merges content from two data sources into one search index.

articles/search/samples-python.md

@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ Code samples from the Azure AI Search team demonstrate features and workflows. M
 | [Tutorial-RAG](https://github.com/Azure-Samples/azure-search-python-samples/tree/main/Tutorial-RAG) | Source code for the Python portion of [How to build a RAG solution using Azure AI Search](tutorial-rag-build-solution.md).|
 | [Quickstart](https://github.com/Azure-Samples/azure-search-python-samples/tree/main/Quickstart) | Source code for the Python portion of [Quickstart: Full text search using the Azure SDKs](search-get-started-text.md). This article covers the basic workflow for creating, loading, and querying a search index using sample data. |
 | [Quickstart-RAG](https://github.com/Azure-Samples/azure-search-python-samples/tree/main/Quickstart-RAG) | Source code for the Python portion of [Quickstart: Generative search (RAG) with grounding data from Azure AI Search](search-get-started-rag.md). |
-| [Quickstart-Semantic-Search](https://github.com/Azure-Samples/azure-search-python-samples/tree/main/Quickstart-Semantic-Search) | Source code for the Python portion of [Quickstart: Semantic ranking using the Azure SDKs](search-get-started-semantic.md). It shows the index schema and query request for invoking semantic ranking. |
+| [Quickstart-Semantic-Search](https://github.com/Azure-Samples/azure-search-python-samples/tree/main/Quickstart-Semantic-Search) | Source code for the Python portion of [Quickstart: Semantic ranking using the Azure SDKs](search-get-started-semantic.md). It shows the index schema and query request for invoking semantic ranker. |
 | [bulk-insert](https://github.com/Azure-Samples/azure-search-python-samples/tree/main/bulk-insert) | Source code for the Python example of how to [use the push APIs](search-how-to-load-search-index.md) to upload and index documents. |
 | [azure-function-search](https://github.com/Azure-Samples/azure-search-python-samples/tree/main/azure-function-search) | Source code for the Python example of an Azure function that sends queries to a search service. You can substitute this Python version of the `api` code used in the [Add search to web sites](tutorial-csharp-overview.md) C# sample. |
 

articles/search/search-api-migration.md

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ We recommend upgrading API versions in succession, working through each version
 
 Azure AI Search breaks backward compatibility as a last resort. Upgrade is necessary when:
 
-+ Your code references a retired or unsupported API version and is subject to one or more breaking changes. You must address breaking changes if your code targets [`2023-07-10-preview`](#code-upgrade-for-vector-indexes-and-queries) for vectors, [`2020-06-01-preview`](#breaking-change-for-semantic-ranking) for semantic ranking, and [`2019-05-06`](#upgrade-to-2019-05-06) for obsolete skills and workarounds. 
++ Your code references a retired or unsupported API version and is subject to one or more breaking changes. You must address breaking changes if your code targets [`2023-07-10-preview`](#code-upgrade-for-vector-indexes-and-queries) for vectors, [`2020-06-01-preview`](#breaking-change-for-semantic-ranking) for semantic ranker, and [`2019-05-06`](#upgrade-to-2019-05-06) for obsolete skills and workarounds. 
 
 + Your code fails when unrecognized properties are returned in an API response. As a best practice, your application should ignore properties that it doesn't understand.
 
@@ -63,13 +63,13 @@ Effective March 29, 2024 and applicable to all [supported REST APIs](/rest/api/s
 
 + If you need to retrieve connection strings of another Azure resource such as Azure Storage or Azure Cosmos DB, use the APIs of that resource and published guidance to obtain the information. 
 
-## Breaking change for semantic ranking
+## Breaking change for semantic ranker
 
-[Semantic ranking](semantic-search-overview.md) is generally available in `2023-11-01`. Here are the breaking changes for semantic ranking from earlier releases:
+[Semantic ranker](semantic-search-overview.md) is generally available in `2023-11-01`. Here are the breaking changes for semantic ranker from earlier releases:
 
 + In all versions after `2020-06-01-preview`: `semanticConfiguration` replaces `searchFields` as the mechanism for specifying which fields to use for L2 ranking.
 
-+ For all API versions, updates on July 14, 2023 to the Microsoft-hosted semantic models made semantic ranking language-agnostic, effectively decommissioning the `queryLanguage` property. There's no "breaking change" in code, but the property is ignored.
++ For all API versions, updates on July 14, 2023 to the Microsoft-hosted semantic models made semantic ranker language-agnostic, effectively decommissioning the `queryLanguage` property. There's no "breaking change" in code, but the property is ignored.
 
 See [Migrate from preview version](semantic-how-to-configure.md#migrate-from-preview-versions) to transition your code to use `semanticConfiguration`.
 
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ If you're upgrading from `2023-10-01-preview`, there are no breaking changes. Ho
 
 ## Upgrade to 2023-11-01
 
-[`2023-11-01`](/rest/api/searchservice/search-service-api-versions#2023-11-01) is a general release. The former preview features are now generally available: semantic ranking, vector index and query support.
+[`2023-11-01`](/rest/api/searchservice/search-service-api-versions#2023-11-01) is a general release. The former preview features are now generally available: semantic ranker, vector index and query support.
 
 There are no breaking changes from `2023-10-01-preview`, but there are multiple breaking changes from `2023-07-01-preview` to `2023-11-01`. For more information, see [Upgrade from 2023-07-01-preview](#upgrade-from-2023-07-01-preview).