The Matter of Grocery Search Synonym
The item was not found under the expected name. A synonym was tried. A different item was found. This report covers what happened next.
PROGRESS REPORT: Grocery Search Synonym Incident Item searched: Coriander Item found: Coriander flavored snack mix, coriander-infused seasoning blend, dried coriander seeds (imported) Item needed: Fresh coriander leaves Status: Unresolved at time of filing.
Summary
The grocery app was searched for the required item. The required item did not appear in the first twelve results. The search returned results, which is worse than no results, because results require evaluation.
Each result was examined briefly to determine whether it was the required item in an unexpected form or packaging. None were. All twelve were coriander-adjacent products that share a word with the item but not a use case.
The Synonym Decision
A synonym was attempted. The synonym was "cilantro," which names the same plant as coriander in a different culinary tradition. The app knows this word. It returned the fresh herb in the second position.
The first position was held by a flavored oil.
The required item was located. It could now be added to the cart. Before adding it to the cart, the user spent approximately ninety seconds understanding why the original search term had failed and whether this failure would recur.
Findings
The app indexes the item under its regional name. The user's regional name for the item is different. This discrepancy has existed since the app was installed. It has produced friction on approximately eight separate shopping occasions. It has not produced a behavior change because the synonym was known and the workaround was available.
The workaround is now considered part of the search routine. Coriander is searched first. If it fails, cilantro is tried. The item is found. The cart proceeds.
The Alarm
The alarm arises because the workaround has become invisible. The ninety seconds spent re-understanding the failure today were the same ninety seconds spent re-understanding the same failure in previous months. No record was kept. No correction was submitted. The app was not taught the synonym.
The option to submit feedback to the app existed in the form of a small flag icon. It was visible during each of the eight incidents. It was not used.
Outlook
The ninth incident will occur. The coriander search will fail. The cilantro synonym will succeed. The flag icon will be observed and not pressed. This trajectory is projected to continue through the end of the year.