What are the two search modes?
CrowdRiff offers two search modes: AI Mode and Standard Mode. Each is designed for a different type of workflow.
AI Mode (Default): AI Mode matches against AI-generated asset descriptions and metadata to return visually and contextually similar results. You can search naturally, just as you would describe something to a colleague—for example, “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. This makes it ideal for exploring ideas, finding a specific vibe, or browsing broadly when you’re not looking for something exact.
Standard Mode (New): Standard Mode searches specific words across asset metadata fields, including descriptions, social captions, location, keywords, usernames, authors, hashtags, and file names.
❗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.
How do searches behave in Standard mode?
If you enter a single word—such as whitestone—CrowdRiff returns assets where that word appears in any searchable metadata field.
When you enter 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 do not need to appear next to each other, but they must both be present. Adding more words will narrow your results further.
If you’re looking for an exact phrase, use quotation marks. For example, searching "golden hour" returns only assets where that exact phrase appears.
You can also exclude terms by adding a dash before a word. For example, hiking -johnsmith removes any assets that include “johnsmith” in their metadata. This is especially useful when refining large result sets.
It also supports common word variations. Searching hike may return results that include hike, hikes, hiking, or hiker.
You can narrow results by date added, date created, or date rights-approved, using preset ranges like “Last 30 Days” or defining 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, making this option flexible for combining concepts.
Selecting a metadata value (such as a specific author, keyword, or location) filters strictly by that exact field and value, without expanding to other metadata.
Typing = flexible search across fields.
Selecting = precise filter by one field.
💡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.
Need more help?
If you have any other questions, feel free to send us a message!