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This feature isn’t available on every plan. Refer to your pricing plan to see if it’s included.
Real-time personalization adjusts search results based on signals from the current session. As users interact with your website or app, it adapts results to their changing intent. Real-time personalization:
  • Provides coverage for all users, including first-time visitors.
  • Happens in real-time as users interact with your website.
  • Adapts as user intent changes during a session.
  • Complements historical personalization for returning users.
Real-time personalization applies to new users. Historical personalization applies to returning users.
Real-time personalization responds to signals from the current visit. It adapts search results as the user browses. This makes results more relevant. It works even without past visit history. To compare the two approaches, see differences between real-time and historical personalization.

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Enable real-time personalization

Before you begin, set up Advanced Personalization. In the Algolia dashboard, enable real-time personalization.
Dashboard interface for enabling real-time personalization

Dashboard interface enabling real-time personalization

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Troubleshooting

Use the Advanced Personalization user inspector to review each user’s . A badge shows if real-time affinities apply.
Screenshot of a user's real-time affinities list showing categories like 'Electronics' and 'United States' with scores.

Dashboard interface for inspecting user affinities

Last modified on September 16, 2026