What Is Hybrid Search? Combining Keywords and Vectors for Better Retrieval

Hybrid search integrates keyword-based lexical matching with vector similarity to improve information retrieval by balancing exact term matches and semantic understanding. It involves a five-stage process from initial keyword and vector retrieval to score normalization, candidate fusion, and final reranking. This approach distinguishes itself from methods relying solely on BM25 or embeddings by its operational design and measurable outcomes.