Abstract: A search system performs item retrieval using search query categorization that matches query intent. Category embeddings are generated for categories based on hierarchical data and search information. For instance, the category embeddings can be generated using information regarding hierarchical relationships between the categories, co-occurring relationships between categories identified from search information, and initial embeddings that encode query-related information for each category. Category clusters can be formed using the category embeddings. When a search query is received, one or more categories are identified from a category cluster and used for selecting search results for the search query.