A computerized neural-network based mechanism for providing an intermediary configured for intervening in searches is described. Corresponding methods, computer-readable media, systems, devices, and apparatuses are also contemplated. The neural network can include a multi-headed attention layer. The intermediary may be, in some embodiments, a human “man in the middle” mechanism invoked where there is low confidence that pre-existing categories map to a user's search string. The mechanism provides a specially configured interface adapted to enable a search specialist to quickly select one or more categories that match or are otherwise associated with the search query from a set of acceptable categories. Received outputs and detected user behaviors are utilized to update a neural network model.