From LIKE to Love: Adding Proper Search to Your Django Apps

🔊 Recorded at PyCon DE & PyData 2025, April 24, 2025
https://2025.pycon.de/program/UCG9AS/

🎓 The presentation demonstrates how to implement production-ready semantic search in Django applications, moving beyond simple SQL queries to vector-based semantic matching.

Speakers:
Kacper Łukawski

Description:
Łukawski examines the evolution of search functionality in Django applications, moving beyond basic SQL LIKE operators toward more sophisticated semantic search capabilities. He demonstrates how traditional keyword-based search methods, including PostgreSQL full-text search, face limitations in handling natural language queries and multilingual content. The presentation explores the implementation of neural embeddings for semantic search, explaining how modern vector representations can capture contextual meaning rather than just exact matches. Łukawski introduces his open-source package Django Semantic Search, which integrates vector search capabilities with Django's ORM, allowing developers to implement semantic search with minimal configuration. He discusses practical considerations including embedding model selection, performance optimization through static embeddings, and the importance of combining semantic search with traditional filtering. The talk addresses both technical implementation details and architectural decisions while highlighting the growing importance of robust search functionality in web applications, particularly in e-commerce and content management systems. The presentation concludes with future developments including planned support for background processing and multimodal search capabilities across text, images, and audio.

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Acknowledgements:
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About:
Python Softwareverband e.V.:
PySV is a non-profit that promotes the use and development of Python in Germany through events, education, and advocacy, fostering an open Python community.

NumFOCUS Inc.
supports open-source scientific computing by providing financial and logistical support to key projects like NumPy and Jupyter, promoting sustainable development and collaboration.

Pioneers Hub gemeinnützige GmbH:
is a non-profit fostering innovation in AI and tech by connecting experts and promoting knowledge exchange through events and collaborative initiatives.