🔗 Hybrid search patterns with PostgreSQL and pgvector

Most production vector queries aren't just about finding similar documents; they often involve specific criteria. The article explains hybrid search patterns, combining similarity ranking with scalar filters in PostgreSQL by utilizing pgvector and hybrid Nearest Neighbor searches. The author showcases how to effectively integrate WHERE clauses into vector queries, which can often lead to trade-offs between recall and performance. Techniques such as iterative index scans are discussed to refine these searches. The article thoroughly analyzes various querying strategies, including oversampling and caching responses to improve query efficiency. It offers practical insights on building indexes and optimizing performance for complex applications that require both speed and accuracy, making it an essential read for database administrators and developers working with vector data in PostgreSQL.