Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hiipal?

Hiipal is an AI-powered social search platform. You can search across text, images, and documents using semantic AI — and instantly connect with other people searching the same topic at the same time via direct message, voice, or video call.

How does AI search work on Hiipal?

Hiipal uses vector embeddings to understand the meaning behind your query — not just matching keywords. When you search, the AI compares your query against an indexed knowledge base semantically, returning results that are contextually relevant even if they do not use the exact same words.

You can search by typing a phrase, uploading an image, or sharing a document. The AI handles all three content types and returns ranked results based on similarity.

What is image search and how do I use it?

Image search lets you upload or paste any photo and find semantically related content in Hiipal's index. You can paste an image directly into the search bar, tap the upload button, or drag an image from any webpage straight into the chat. The AI will analyse the image and surface visually and contextually relevant results.

Can I upload documents to search?

Yes. You can attach PDFs, Word documents, spreadsheets, text files, and more. Once uploaded, Hiipal searches the document's content using AI and returns relevant results from the knowledge base. You can also attach multiple files at once.

How do I connect with people on Hiipal?

When you search a topic, Hiipal automatically shows you nearby pals — people searching the same or related topics at the same time. From there you can:

• Send a hii — a quick greeting to break the ice.
• Open a direct message thread for a private one-on-one chat.
• Start a voice or video call peer-to-peer directly in the app.

No account required.

What is a "hii"?

A hii is a lightweight greeting you can send to a nearby pal with one tap. It lets someone know you noticed them without committing to a full conversation. They can reply with a hii back, open a DM thread, or start a call — their choice.

What are direct messages (DMs)?

DMs are private one-on-one text threads between you and a nearby pal. They appear inline in the chat panel — no separate app or account needed. The conversation exists only for the duration of your session.

Are voice and video calls private?

Yes. All calls on Hiipal use WebRTC (peer-to-peer), meaning your audio and video travel directly between devices — they do not pass through our servers. Calls are end-to-end encrypted by design. You can switch between text, voice, and video mid-call.

Is Hiipal free to use?

Yes, Hiipal is completely free. There are no subscription fees, no hidden charges, and no account required to start searching and connecting.

Do I need to create an account?

No account is needed to search or connect on Hiipal. You can start using the platform immediately. You can set a display name to personalise your experience, but it is entirely optional.

What kind of content can I index on Hiipal?

You can index three types of content:

• Text — any text snippet, note, or description.
• Images — photos, screenshots, or any image file (including HEIC and AVIF).
• Documents — PDFs, Word files, spreadsheets, and text documents.

Indexed content becomes searchable by the AI and can be discovered by other users searching relevant topics. You can index multiple files in one go.

What is "indexing" content?

Indexing means adding your content to Hiipal's AI-powered knowledge base. Once indexed, your content is discoverable by other users searching related topics. It is similar to publishing a post — except instead of appearing in a feed, it surfaces in AI-powered search results ranked by semantic relevance.

Is Hiipal an alternative to Omegle or Chatroulette?

Hiipal shares the spontaneous connection aspect of those platforms but goes further. Connections on Hiipal are based on shared interests and search intent — not random matching. You meet people who are genuinely curious about the same topic as you, which leads to more meaningful conversations.

Can I use Hiipal to find study partners?

Absolutely. Search your study topic and you will instantly see other students or learners exploring the same subject. Send a hii, open a DM, or start a video call to study together, share notes, or work through problems — all within the app.

How is Hiipal different from a regular search engine?

Traditional search engines return links to other websites. Hiipal returns relevant content from its own indexed knowledge base AND shows you people to connect with — all in one place. Search is the starting point for a real human conversation, not just a list of URLs.

Is my data private?

We take privacy seriously. Voice and video calls are peer-to-peer and never stored. DMs exist only in-session and are not stored on our servers. Search queries are retained for up to 90 days for quality purposes. You can read our full Privacy Policy for details on what we collect and how we use it.

How do I report inappropriate content?

If you encounter content that violates our community standards, please contact us directly. You can also review our Terms of Service for our community guidelines.