Photo Library Keyword Search Not Functioning

Question

Level 1

4 points

Photo Library Keyword Search Not Functioning

Hi everyone,

The keyword search function in my photo library always can't work properly from time to time. It seems like the keywords are not being indexed correctly — searches return incomplete or no results at all. I tried to use the repair tool already yesterday but till now still can't work.

Is there a way to manually trigger a reindex of keywords in Photos?
How long does the reindexing process typically take after repairing the library?
How to ensure keywords are functioning properly in photo library?

I’m on macOS Sequoia 15.5, and my library contains approximately 52,000+ photos/videos.

Appreciate any help or suggestions!

MacBook Pro (M3, 2023)

Posted on Aug 6, 2025 11:12 PM

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Answer 1

léonie

Level 10

199,927 points

Aug 7, 2025 01:34 AM in response to joe5650

The search for keywords has changed in macOS 15 Sequoia. There used to be a separate search result keywords, but this is no longer shown. We are just getting the results for a text rule.

When I want to find photos by keywords, I am using a smart album with the rule "Keyword is ...". This will show all photos with the keyword assigned and not a mixture of photos showing the text or the keywords.

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Answer 2

Aug 7, 2025 08:41 AM in response to léonie

léonie wrote:The search for keywords has changed in macOS 15 Sequoia. …

I use Smart Albums so much that I had completely missed that using keywords in the search field is totally broken! I just tried it. I have a keyword "HorseShow" for, well, pictures at horse shows. When I search for HorseShow, I get those, but also Rodeos and horse races, which have their own keywords. At first it looks like it grabbed anything with a horse in it, including statues and "Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace" But I don't see pictures of us riding on the beach or at National Parks. Searching for "Horse" did get those. So weird.

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Answer 3

léonie

Level 10

199,927 points

Aug 7, 2025 02:45 PM in response to Richard.Taylor

It is weird. When I search for the keyword "bird" I get thousands of results, including photos with the keyword bird, for the category "birdwatching", but also pictures taken at the bird cage walk in London, or photos with the text "bird" shown in the photo, for example on signs in a Park. There is no separate search result for keywords.

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Answer 4

joe5650 Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 12, 2025 10:32 PM in response to léonie

Hi léonie and Richard.Taylor, thanks for sharing!

However, in my case, the keyword results just simply don't show, even I have the keyword tagged. Now I am facing this issue again, I'm not sure if repairing the photo library everytime I have the issue is the best solution. :(

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Answer 5

Aug 13, 2025 06:44 AM in response to joe5650

I think the best thing for keyword searches is to use a Smart Album. While it takes no effort to make a Smart Album, I keep a "Temp" Smart Album at the top of my Album list so I can get there quickly. It get's lots of use!

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