Find what checkboxes miss. Powered by real buyer language. Refined by agent feedback.
Why IntelliSearch Matters for Your Business
Sierra created IntelliSearch to give agents and teams a real competitive edge. It surfaces listings that traditional filters miss by understanding how buyers search using natural language, not just checkboxes.
IntelliSearch delivers smarter discovery and greater precision so you can work faster, serve clients better, and close more deals.
What is IntelliSearch?
IntelliSearch is Sierra Interactive's intelligent search enhancement, designed to help agents and clients uncover relevant listings that traditional filters may miss. Instead of relying solely on MLS checkboxes, IntelliSearch scans property descriptions to surface homes based on the lifestyle features buyers actually care about.
Think of it as your competitive advantage in a world where buyers are used to searching on sites like Zillow and Redfin, where keyword-rich results feel intuitive and tailored.
Why Sierra Introduced IntelliSearch
Buyers today expect smarter, more flexible search tools. Traditional MLS-based filters often fall short when listing agents forget to check a box or when lifestyle details aren't captured by rigid field data.
With IntelliSearch, we aim to:
Find the needle in the haystack: Uncover homes with features buried in the listing description, like "open concept" or "chef's kitchen."
Move beyond checkbox limitations: Let buyers search based on real needs, such as "large backyard" or "multigenerational living."
Bridge the gap: Deliver a home search experience that connects traditional MLS systems with the intuitive, modern search functionality today’s buyers expect.
This change modernizes Sierra’s platform to match how users search on Zillow, Google, or Redfin: naturally, quickly, and with fewer clicks.
IntelliSearch vs. Traditional Search
|
Feature |
Traditional Search (Faceted) |
IntelliSearch |
|
User Experience |
MLS checkboxes and hard-coded fields |
Keywords in listing descriptions + traditional fields |
|
Lifestyle Search Capabilities |
Limited |
Advanced (e.g., "pool house," "open floor plan") |
|
MLS Field Dependency |
High (missed if box not checked) |
Low (finds matches even if no box is checked) |
|
Buyer Search Experience |
Rigid, exact-match required |
Flexible, lifestyle-driven |
|
Precision vs. Discovery |
High precision, low discovery |
Balanced precision + discovery (now refined) |
|
Mobile Experience |
Drop-down heavy, slower |
Streamlined, keyword-friendly |
Want to See IntelliSearch in Action?
We'll walk you through real examples, new updates, and how to use IntelliSearch to convert more leads.
Check out the pre-recorded webinar below:
See IntelliSearch in Action: Video Highlights
Want to watch IntelliSearch at work? Check out these short video demos that showcase its power:
IntelliSearch has been enhanced to deliver smarter, more relevant results with even greater control. These updates ensure the tool aligns more closely with how real estate professionals work, providing better outcomes with less effort.
✨What’s New (Now Live in Sierra CRM):
- Refined Keyword Logic
IntelliSearch now delivers more accurate results by understanding keyword context. For example, searching “New Construction” won’t return listings where “new” and “construction” appear separately in unrelated parts of the listing. This helps eliminate false positives and improves relevance. - Search Results Clarity
We’ve added visual context to explain why certain listings appear in search results, making it easier to understand and adjust search logic if needed. - Square Footage + Acreage Displayed Together
A long-requested feature—especially for land and farm listings—square footage and acreage now appear side by side in search results. - Client Context in Saved Searches
The lead’s name now appears when creating a saved search, helping you stay organized when multitasking across client accounts. - Auto-Subscribe Defaults for Alerts
New E-Alerts and Market Updates now default to “Subscribe,” reducing manual setup and helping clients stay informed automatically.
⏳What’s Coming Soon:
We’re actively working on additional IntelliSearch upgrades that will continue to improve your experience. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s in development:
- Dynamic Keyword Suggestions
Get smart keyword recommendations based on MLS trends and listing language patterns. - Saved Search Tagging & Organization
Tag and organize saved searches more efficiently so you can quickly find what you need. - Deeper Visual Indicators
Understand exactly how the search engine is interpreting your criteria with inline logic explanations and smarter UI cues. - In-Platform IntelliSearch Help Tools
Embedded tips and links will soon be available directly within the search creation screen to help you make the most of the tool.
Want to see what's new?
Check out our RELEASE NOTES to keep up with the latest IntelliSearch enhancements. There, you'll find details on recent improvements and what they mean for your workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I get better results with IntelliSearch?
Start with broad keywords, then narrow your results using filters like price or bed/bath. Use natural language, the words your clients would use when describing their dream home.
Remember, IntelliSearch does not have contextual awareness. Sometimes, you will need to search for exactly the match you are looking for.
What are some keyword examples that work well?
Try using terms like:
- “ranch style” + “large lot” + “trees”
- “student housing” + “under $2,000”
- “income potential” + “investment”
- “lakefront” + “dock”
How can I use IntelliSearch to improve SEO and lead generation?
Use keyword-rich saved searches in your Community Pages and pair them with blogs or targeted landing pages. This improves your visibility in Google and brings in high-intent traffic. Pro tip: Create content clusters to strengthen SEO performance.
How is IntelliSearch different from traditional search filters?
Traditional searches rely on checked MLS boxes. IntelliSearch scans listing descriptions to find properties based on lifestyle keywords, even if agents didn’t check the right boxes.
Can I still use filters like price or bedrooms?
Yes. IntelliSearch works alongside traditional filters to give you both flexibility and control.
What if my search returns too many or too few results?
Start broad with keywords, then refine. If you're not seeing expected results, try removing overly specific terms or combining filters more strategically.
Does IntelliSearch work on mobile?
Absolutely. IntelliSearch improves the mobile experience by eliminating the need for dropdowns and letting users search naturally.
Can I use IntelliSearch for SEO purposes?
Yes. Use keyword-rich saved searches on community pages to boost organic traffic and attract high-intent leads.
Is IntelliSearch available on agent subdomains or custom sites?
Yes. IntelliSearch works across all sites that support saved searches.
Still Have Questions?
Visit our Help Center or reach out to our Customer Education Team. We're here to support you as you explore this smarter way to search.
Find what checkboxes miss. Powered by real buyer language. Refined by your feedback.