When clients look for architectural products today, they don’t always know what to type.
Maybe they have a photo of a fabric they like, or they remember the texture of a panel they saw at a trade show. Maybe they’re trying to find a product that feels like a particular aesthetic- something warm, matte, and minimal, but they don’t have the right search terms.
This is where modern search tools step in, tools that don’t rely solely on keywords.
What is Visual and Semantic search?
Visual and semantic search allow users to explore products in ways that go beyond traditional filters and keywords. It works in two key ways:
Image-based search lets users upload a photo, and the system returns visually similar products by analysing colour, texture, pattern, and shape.
Text-based semantic search interprets natural language queries like “dark terrazzo suitable for high-traffic areas” or “lightweight acoustic panels” and returns relevant results even if those exact words aren’t in the product titles.
Both technologies use AI to understand the meaning and appearance behind a query, not just the exact wording.
What does it do?
1. Removes friction from product discovery
Traditional search relies on knowing the right keywords. If a user doesn’t type exactly “low VOC recycled polyester wall panel,” they may never find it. AI-powered search removes this bottleneck. Whether the input is an image or a phrase, the system interprets intent.
2. Unlocks the value of large catalogues
When a supplier offers hundreds or thousands of SKUs, standard filters only go so far. Smart search tools make deep catalogues usable by surfacing products that match intent, even if they’re buried under complex categories or naming conventions.
3. Improves search results over time
Modern AI search systems learn from user behaviour. The more searches, clicks, and selections that happen, the more relevant and personalised results become over time.
4. Enhances the Buyer Experience
By aligning search behaviour with the way architects, designers, and specifiers actually think, visually, contextually, and intuitively, AI-powered search makes sourcing feel less like a chore and more like creative exploration.
One solution built for suppliers
If your catalogue includes visual materials- fabrics, surfaces, lighting, finishes, or furniture and your clients are struggling to find what they need, AI search can change how they discover your products.
SearchTech by Stylib is built for this. It adds image and semantic search to your website, helping architects and designers find what they’re looking for even when they can’t describe it perfectly.
It’s product discovery, powered by vision and language.
With visual search built into your website, clients can upload a reference image- a texture, colour, or product photo and instantly see the most visually similar items from your catalogue. It’s a faster, more intuitive way for architects and designers to explore your range without relying on perfect keywords.
SearchTech understands what people mean, not just what they type. Whether a user searches for “warm-toned outdoor tile” or “eco-certified wall panel,” the system interprets intent and delivers accurate, relevant results, even when product titles or tags don’t match exactly.
SearchTech integrates directly into your site, using your existing product data. There’s no need for redirects or external logins, just a fast, branded search experience that keeps users on your site, engaged, and closer to specifying your products.
