GLOSSARY
Semantic Sourcing
Semantic sourcing uses AI to understand natural language queries (e.g., "DevOps AWS 5 years Paris available March") and retrieve relevant candidates without Boolean search.
IN DEPTH
Semantic sourcing is a candidate search method based on AI natural language understanding, without Boolean operators. The user formulates the query as if speaking to a human ("DevOps AWS engineer 5 years experience available March in Paris with remote"), and the AI returns the most relevant profiles from internal pool + external sources. Semantic sourcing understands industry synonyms, context, seniority levels, and even indirect signals (recent LinkedIn position change = openness signal). It advantageously replaces Boolean search which becomes ineffective beyond 10,000 profiles. Measured impact: -70% search time, +300% relevant profiles identified, -30 to -40% candidate acquisition cost. Cobalt offers native semantic search integrated in the ATS.
Frequently asked questions
On average -70% search time (30 min to 9 min for complex query) and +300% relevant profiles. Beyond 10,000 profiles in database, the gain is even more massive as Boolean becomes unusable.
Cobalt (EU leader, native natural language semantic search from Starter plan €31). Loxo (US, good on AI sourcing). Legacy ATS (Bullhorn, Vincere) still rely on Boolean search. Productivity gap becoming massive.
Related terms
- Boolean SearchBoolean search uses AND, OR, NOT operators and quotation marks to filter candidates in an ATS or on LinkedIn. In 2026, it's largely replaced by AI semantic search.
- AI Matching (candidate-mission)AI matching uses machine learning models to evaluate a candidate's relevance to a mission by crossing skills, experience, availability and cultural fit. It replaces Boolean search.
- CV ParsingCV parsing automatically extracts information from a CV (contact, experiences, skills, education) to structure it in an ATS. Modern AI reaches >95% accuracy.
- Talent PoolThe talent pool is the qualified talent database a staffing firm or agency has already identified and maintains relationship with. 80% of placements at top firms come from it.
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