---
sourceDocument: Yokohama Conversational Interfaces
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/yokohama/conversational-interfaces

 Release :

    - yokohama

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Yokohama Conversational Interfaces

ft:clusterId :

    - convint

bundleId :

    - convint

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# Create a custom AI Search experience for Virtual Agent conversations

# Create a custom AI Search experience for Virtual Agent
conversations {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Yokohama  
Updated January 30, 2025  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 3 minutes to read  
Define a custom AI Search experience in a conversation using the AI Search topic block. You create a Search Application Configuration used by
the topic block to control the AI Search results returned in the
conversation. Or you can use the Search Application Configuration to control AI Search results in a custom chat experience.

## Before you begin

Create the search profile that defines the search
experience to be used in the search application configuration. For details, see
Search profiles and Search application configurations.

Role required: virtual_agent_admin or admin with the search application administrator
\[search_application_admin\] role

## About this task

A search application configuration specifies the AI Search profile
used by the Run AI Search topic block or in a custom chat experience
to control the search experience, such as the search source used to generate search
results.  
Note:  
As of the Utah release, use the AI Search topic block when creating an AI Search application. (The Run AI Search topic block is used in releases from Rome to Tokyo.)

## Procedure

1. Navigate to AllAI SearchSearch ExperienceSearch Applications and select New to create the search application configuration.
2. On the form, fill in the fields.  
   {#create-va-aisearch-application__table_ndn_qrl_dqb__entry__2}

   | Field | Description |
   |-|-|
   | Name | Name for the search application to be used by the AI Search topic block. |
   | Search Engine | Search engine to use in this search application. Use AI Search as the search engine. |
   | Search Profile | Search profile that stores the search experience settings for generating AI Search results. |
   | Search Results Limit | Maximum number of search results that the application should display. Note: The search query in Virtual Agent returns 3 results per query. However, the limit can be changed by using the com.glide.cs.ai_search.max_regular_result system property, for a maximum of 10 results. For more information, see [Improving the user experience with AI Search](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/x~YNIooc6hVuWyEARqixDA "Virtual Agent uses the ServiceNow AI Platform AI Search application to return search results in bot conversations as a fallback when there are no relevant topics to display to end users. Virtual Agent also provides a Run AI Search topic block that topic authors can use to generate search results in a topic."). |
   | Genius Results Limit | Maximum number of Genius Result cards to be displayed. Note: Virtual Agent supports only 1 or 0 card results per AI Search query. If you change this field to a different value, Virtual Agent still displays only 1 or 0 card results. |
   | Enable Typo Handling | Option to auto-correct search query terms to match terms found in the search profile's typo handling dictionary. For Virtual Agent, turn off this option by deselecting it. |
   [Table 1. Search Applications Configuration form]

   {#create-va-aisearch-application__table_ndn_qrl_dqb}
3. Select Submit.
4. Apply the custom Search Application Configuration to the AI Search topic block used in a conversation or to a custom chat experience.

   | Option | Procedure |
   | Specify the custom Search Application Configuration in the AI Search topic block used in a conversation | Add the AI Search topic block to a conversation topic. For details, see [Add a reusable topic block to a calling topic or topic block](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/NGxe04aV2kWNamMUKEsO8Q "Add a reusable topic block to a calling (parent) topic or topic block to run a specific function or task in the calling topic. You specify input parameters used in the topic block, and you specify output parameters that are used by the calling topic."). 1. Navigate to Conversational InterfacesVirtual AgentDesigner and select the topic or [create a new topic](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/P~llhfRcn4ibg40rUOYk~Q "Use Virtual Agent Designer to create and modify Virtual Agent topics (conversations). Build your topic to meet a specific objective or goal, such as fulfilling a user's request or helping a user complete a task."). 2. In the Flow tab, drag the Topic Block utility onto the canvas. 3. Complete the Topic Block Properties sheet: * In the Topic Block field, select AI Search. * In the Search Term (String) field, use dot-walking or a script to specify the input variable for the search. * In the Search Application Configuration field, select the custom Search Application Configuration that you created in a previous step. If you leave this field empty, AI Search uses the default search application configuration for Virtual Agent. * If needed, click Hide this node and specify conditions. {#create-va-aisearch-application__ul_rcg_tys_wqb} 4. Select Save. The AI Search topic block runs the selected search application configuration to generate the customized AI Search experience. {#create-va-aisearch-application__ol_ovc_xxs_wqb} |
   | Use the custom Search Application Configuration in a custom chat experience | Create or update a custom chat experience that uses the Run AI Search topic block with the custom Search Application Configuration. For details on creating a custom experience, see [Configure a Virtual Agent chat experience](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/NDTOfgMUjEJWd0bJ0P3yZg "Change the preconfigured Virtual Agent default chat experience or create a custom chat experience for your users. You can configure setup topics, specify promoted topics, and if needed, change the search profile."). |
   |-|-|

   {#create-va-aisearch-application__choicetable_csd_xws_wqb}  
   Your custom Search Application Configuration is used in the AI Search topic block in a conversation or a custom chat experience to generate the customized AI Search experience.

*[\>]: and then