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This document describes how to use project-based semantic search capabilities
offered by Dataplex Universal Catalog Search.
Semantic search, powered by Gemini, simplifies data discovery without
the need for complex search syntax. It supports natural language queries, so
you can search for resources using everyday language. This enhances
accessibility for users with varying levels of technical expertise.
Similar to keyword search, semantic search emphasizes the discovery of resources
by analyzing the metadata associated with the resources within an organization.
Semantic search relies on technical metadata for data discovery. It also
supports user-defined metadata, such as
aspects. Semantic search
focuses on enhancing recall rather than precision.
Pricing
Semantic search in Dataplex Universal Catalog is offered at no charge during
Preview.
During Preview, share your feedback and suggestions with the
Dataplex Universal Catalog team using the email address
dataplex-semantic-search-feedback@google.com.
Required roles
When you search for resources in Dataplex Universal Catalog using natural language,
Dataplex Universal Catalog automatically and seamlessly applies the same
permissions you have for keyword search.
Search for resources using semantic search
Console
In the Google Cloud console, go to the Dataplex Universal Catalog Search
page.
[[["Easy to understand","easyToUnderstand","thumb-up"],["Solved my problem","solvedMyProblem","thumb-up"],["Other","otherUp","thumb-up"]],[["Hard to understand","hardToUnderstand","thumb-down"],["Incorrect information or sample code","incorrectInformationOrSampleCode","thumb-down"],["Missing the information/samples I need","missingTheInformationSamplesINeed","thumb-down"],["Other","otherDown","thumb-down"]],["Last updated 2025-08-29 UTC."],[[["\u003cp\u003eDataplex Search offers a semantic search feature, powered by Gemini, that allows users to discover data using natural language queries instead of complex search syntax.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eThis semantic search capability, currently in Preview, emphasizes enhancing data recall by analyzing metadata, including user-defined aspects, associated with resources within an organization.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eSemantic search is available free of charge during the Preview, but is limited to specific regions, the Google Cloud console, and does not support time-based or data exploration queries.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eTo use semantic search, you must sign up for the Preview by submitting a request form, and this feature can only search resources in the projects where it has been enabled.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eSemantic search applies the same permissions for resources that exist in keyword search, and requires users to enable the "Query in natural language" toggle within the Dataplex Search page.\u003c/p\u003e\n"]]],[],null,["# Discover data using semantic search\n\n| **Preview**\n|\n|\n| This feature is subject to the \"Pre-GA Offerings Terms\" in the General Service Terms section\n| of the [Service Specific Terms](/terms/service-terms#1).\n|\n| Pre-GA features are available \"as is\" and might have limited support.\n|\n| For more information, see the\n| [launch stage descriptions](/products#product-launch-stages).\n\nThis document describes how to use project-based semantic search capabilities\noffered by Dataplex Universal Catalog Search.\n\nSemantic search, powered by Gemini, simplifies data discovery without\nthe need for complex search syntax. It supports natural language queries, so\nyou can search for resources using everyday language. This enhances\naccessibility for users with varying levels of technical expertise.\n\nSimilar to keyword search, semantic search emphasizes the discovery of resources\nby analyzing the metadata associated with the resources within an organization.\nSemantic search relies on technical metadata for data discovery. It also\nsupports user-defined metadata, such as\n[aspects](/dataplex/docs/enrich-entries-metadata#aspects). Semantic search\nfocuses on enhancing recall rather than precision.\n\nPricing\n-------\n\nSemantic search in Dataplex Universal Catalog is offered at no charge during\nPreview.\n\nDuring Preview, share your feedback and suggestions with the\nDataplex Universal Catalog team using the email address\n`dataplex-semantic-search-feedback@google.com`.\n\nRequired roles\n--------------\n\nWhen you search for resources in Dataplex Universal Catalog using natural language,\nDataplex Universal Catalog automatically and seamlessly applies the same\n[permissions you have for keyword search](/dataplex/docs/search-assets#required-roles).\n\nSearch for resources using semantic search\n------------------------------------------\n\n### Console\n\n1. In the Google Cloud console, go to the Dataplex Universal Catalog **Search**\n page.\n\n\n [Go to Search](https://console.cloud.google.com/dataplex/dp-search)\n\n \u003cbr /\u003e\n\n2. To turn on semantic search, click the **Query in natural language** toggle.\n\n3. In the search field, enter your query in natural language. The following are\n some sample queries:\n\n - `Show me the datasets that contain taxi information`\n - `Find data on vaccine distribution across different countries`\n - `Get tables with historical temperature data for major US cities`\n - `Search for hurricane tracking and storm activity datasets`\n - `US population data by state`\n4. Review the search results.\n\n5. Optional: To view the details of any entry in the search results, click the\n entry.\n\n### REST\n\nTo search for resources, use the [`searchEntries` method](/dataplex/docs/reference/rest/v1/projects.locations/searchEntries).\n\nWhat's next\n-----------\n\n- Learn how to [analyze with BigQuery data canvas](/bigquery/docs/data-canvas).\n- Learn how to [search for resources in Dataplex Universal Catalog using syntax and filters](/dataplex/docs/search-assets)."]]
