What is Natural Language Understanding?
Natural Language Understanding (NLU) is a branch of artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP) focusing on machine reading comprehension. NLU enables computers to comprehend and interpret human language, whether spoken (voice search) or written, by recognising the nuances, search intent, and sentiment behind the words.
Unlike basic text analysis that merely searches for specific words or phrases, NLU strives to understand the overall context and meaning of language. It considers not just what is being said, but also how it’s being conveyed and the underlying message or intent.
How Does NLU Work?
NLU involves quite a few intricate processes; here’s a breakdown:
- Semantic Analysis: This involves understanding the meaning of words and phrases within their context.
- Syntax Analysis: This process deciphers grammatical structures to grasp how words combine to create meaning.
- Contextual Understanding: Recognising the context in which language is used is vital for interpreting ambiguous phrases or resolving contradictions.
- Pragmatic Analysis: This involves understanding language in relation to real-world knowledge, societal norms, and the specific situation.
Importance of NLU for SEO
Search engines like Google use NLU to improve their understanding of search queries and the content on web pages, which allows them to match search queries with relevant content more accurately, taking into account the intent and context of both the search and the content.
For content creators and SEO specialists, this shift means focusing not only on keywords (keyword stuffing) but also on crafting content that genuinely addresses the topics and questions users are interested in. It’s about delivering value and relevance that aligns with how people naturally communicate and seek information.
