Announcing MCP Toolbox Java SDK v1.0: Agentic data access for the enterprise
cloud.google.com·6d ago
Cloud & Infrastructure
The New Stack·14d ago·5 min read
Think you need a better reranker? Check your retrieval first.
TL;DR
Improving search results may require rethinking the retrieval process rather than just enhancing the reranker. A multi-stage retrieval funnel can optimize efficiency and reduce costs.
✦ Why It Matters
Evaluate your retrieval methods today to enhance search result quality without overspending on reranking.
Key Takeaways
- Assess your candidate pool before investing in reranking.
- Use cost-effective retrieval methods to broaden initial results.
- Narrow down candidates progressively to optimize reranking.
- Apply the funnel approach to RAG systems for better context management.
How It Works
The multi-stage retrieval funnel begins with a large corpus of documents, generating a wide array of candidate results through inexpensive methods. This initial stage allows for greater coverage and recall.
The candidates are then progressively narrowed down, filtering out less relevant results before reaching the final reranking step, which utilizes machine learning for enhanced accuracy.