How do I choose appropriate strictness values when entering a topic phrase?

To determine the optimal strictness for a phrase, start with a default setting, then evaluate the captured events and adjust the strictness accordingly. Experimentation is key to finding the right balance between precision and recall.

Longer phrases with more meaningful words often require less strict matching. For example, a three-word phrase might match effectively with medium strictness (two out of three words), while a five-word phrase might only need three matches (medium-low strictness). The ideal strictness depends on the specific phrase and its intended use.

Below are some examples where adjusting strictness can either help or hinder your results, highlighting the importance of tweaking strictness for the best precision/recall tradeoff.

For more information, see Work with a topic, and Work with a phrase.

Examples where raising the strictness will avoid mistakes (increase precision)

Defined program phrase	Detected phrase	Topic matched	Selected strictness	Explanation
Called the other day	Called there the other day	Contacted Previously	Medium	“There” provides context that make this irrelevant to the matched topic. Increasing the strictness would deem this occurrence as ‘not a close enough match’ for Contacted Previously.
I called back	I may call back	Contacted Previously	MedLow	“May” provides context that make this irrelevant to the matched topic. Increasing the strictness would deem this occurrence as ‘not a close enough match’ for Contacted Previously.
You’d like to cancel	Cause it wouldn’t be like cancelling	Cancel Mention	MedHigh	The context of “cancel” is different, therefore making this irrelevant to the matched topic. Increasing the strictness would deem this occurrence as ‘not a close enough match’ for Cancel Mention.

Examples where raising the strictiness will miss good occurrences (decrease recall)

Defined program phrase	Detected phrase	Topic matched	Selected strictness	Explanation
I called a while ago	Called a little while ago	Contacted Previously	Med-Low	Contacted Previously was correctly matched, despite the extra “little” in the detected phrase. Increasing the strictness would result in classifying this occurrence as “not a close enough match” for Contacted Previously.
I spoke to another person	Person I spoke to	Contacted Previously	Med-Low	Contacted Previously was correctly matched, despite the missing “another” in the detected phrase. Increasing the strictness would result in classifying this occurrence as “not a close enough match” for Contacted Previously.
Want to cancel	Want to just cancel	Cancel Mention	Med-Low	Cancel Mention was correctly matched, despite the extra “just” in the detected phrase. Increasing the strictness would result in classifying this occurrence as “not a close enough match” for Cancel Mention.
Cancel the order	Cancel the money order	Cancel Mention	Med-Low	Cancel Mention was correctly matched, despite the extra “money” in the detected phrase. Increasing the strictness would result in classifying this occurrence as “not a close enough match” for Cancel Mention.