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?
Join our upcoming live training webinar: "Beyond the Checkbox: Unlocking the Full Power of IntelliSearch" on Wednesday, May 28th, at noon ET.
We'll walk you through real examples, new updates, and how to use IntelliSearch to convert more leads.
See IntelliSearch in Action: Video Highlights
Want to watch IntelliSearch at work? Check out these short video demos that showcase its power:
What’s Refined, New, and Upcoming
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.
Here’s how IntelliSearch has evolved:
Improved matching logic to reduce irrelevant results.
Maintained all your core filters (bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.).
Introduced intelligent keyword search for better lifestyle discovery without sacrificing filtering precision.
These improvements make IntelliSearch more effective for day-to-day use, helping you uncover the right listings at the right time, with confidence.
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.
Stay in the loop
Want to know what’s ahead for IntelliSearch? Explore this Help Center article for the latest updates and a preview of enhancements in progress.
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.