Hybrid Retrieval for RAG

Combine dense (semantic) and sparse (keyword) retrieval for superior results.

When to Use

• Vector search misses exact keyword matches
• Domain-specific terminology needs exact matching
• Users search with both natural language and specific terms
• Need to balance semantic understanding with precision

The Problem with Vector-Only Search

Query: "Error code E-4521 troubleshooting"

Vector search returns:
- "Common error handling patterns" (semantically similar)
- "Debugging techniques for applications" (related topic)