Search engines handle misspellings in queries by using techniques such as spelling correction, fuzzy matching, and query expansion. Spelling correction algorithms automatically detect and suggest the correct spelling for words that are likely to be misspelled, based on a dictionary or user history.
Fuzzy matching allows search engines to find approximate matches for terms that are close to the misspelled word. For example, a search for "recieve" might return results for "receive," even though the words are not exact matches. This is done using algorithms like Levenshtein distance, which measure the difference between two words by counting the number of insertions, deletions, or substitutions required to transform one into the other.
Search engines may also employ query expansion, where the system automatically expands the query to include common variations or related terms, further improving the chances of retrieving relevant results despite misspellings. These techniques ensure a smooth search experience for users, even when they make typing errors or misspell common terms.