What are the two search modes?
Each mode is designed for a different type of workflow.
AI Mode matches against AI-generated asset descriptions and metadata to return visually and contextually similar results. Search naturally, just as you would describe something to a colleague. For example, try “cozy restaurant patio at sunset.” AI understands context, mood, setting, and visual elements, even if those exact words don’t appear in the asset’s metadata.
AI Mode works best when you want to:
Explore ideas
Find a specific vibe
Browse broadly when you’re not looking for something exact
Standard Mode searches specific words across asset metadata fields, including:
Descriptions
Social captions
Location
Keywords
Usernames
Authors
Hashtags
File names
Standard Mode works best when you know the exact words, names, or tags you need.
❗Heads up
Standard Mode is not the same as selecting a metadata suggestion from the search toolbar.
Toolbar Metadata Selection filters by a specific value within a metadata field. It must be an exact match and narrows the set of assets being searched.
💡Pro Tip
AI Mode means: "Show me things like this...."
Standard Mode means: Find assets containing these words.
Selecting exact metadata means: Filter by this specific field.
How do searches behave in Standard mode?
Standard mode follows a few simple rules, so you can go from broad to precise:
Single word: If you enter one word, such as whitestone, CrowdRiff returns assets where that word appears in any searchable metadata field.
Multiple words: Standard mode uses AND logic. For example, searching hiking puppy returns assets that contain both “hiking” and “puppy” somewhere in the metadata. The words don’t need to appear next to each other, but both must be present. Adding more words narrows your results further.
Exact phrase: Use quotation marks. For example, searching “golden hour” returns only assets where that exact phrase appears.
Excluded terms: Add a dash before a word to remove matching assets. For example, hiking -johnsmith removes any assets that include “johnsmith” in their metadata. This is especially useful for refining large result sets.
Word variations: Standard mode supports common variations. Searching hike may return results that include hike, hikes, hiking, or hiker.
Date filters: Narrow results by date added, date created, or date rights-approved. Use preset ranges like Last 30 Days, or define a custom range.
What’s the difference between typing in the search bar and selecting exact metadata?
Typing in the search bar searches across all indexed metadata fields. Multi-word searches use AND logic and support word variations, which makes this option flexible for combining concepts.
Selecting a metadata value from the search toolbar (such as a specific author, keyword, or location) filters strictly by that exact field and value, without expanding to other metadata. It must be an exact match, and it narrows the set of assets being searched.
Typing = flexible search across fields.
Selecting = precise filter by one field.
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