Use Hybrid When Words Matter
Identify query patterns where hybrid keyword plus vector retrieval beats vector-only search.
Hybrid search is the escape hatch when exact language carries meaning. Vector Strength Vectors help when users and documents use different wording for the same concept. They are useful for natural questions, symptoms, descriptions, and fuzzy exploration. Keyword Strength Keyword retrieval helps when a token itself matters: a code, identifier, person, date, acronym, function name, or quoted phrase. Fusion RRF and similar approaches merge ranked lists without requiring raw vector scores and BM25 scores to mean the same thing. Agreement rises; disagreement still gives either retriever a chance. Decision Rule If users complain that search 'misses the exact thing I…
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