A synonym is a word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase in the same language; for example, shut is a synonym of close.
Why does this matter to you? Iconfinder is based on text-based search and what the search engine does is to match what you search for with keywords/tags that are attached to the icons. Let's say a user searches for "covid19", but an icon has the keyword "coronavirus." This icon wouldn't show up without information connecting these two words.
We have implemented a long and ever-growing list of synonyms that automatically adds additional keywords to icons. Here are some examples:
- DIY, do it yourself
- asap, as soon as possible
- brb, be right back
- AI, artificial intelligence
- VR, virtual reality,
- NYC, new york city
- 50, fifty
etc ...
That means if you search for "VR", you will also get icons with the "virtual reality" keyword and vice versa. As an icon designer you will only be able to see the tags that you have added - not the synonyms. We'll implement a way to display this for you as well. If you spot cases that returns no icons and you think it needs a synonym, let us know.
