What is Retrieval Latency?

Retrieval Latency refers to the delay or time required by a retrieval system to return results after receiving a query. Factors influencing retrieval latency include the size of the dataset, the complexity of retrieval models (e.g., dense retrieval vs. sparse retrieval), and the efficiency of the underlying infrastructure, such as vector databases.

Optimizing retrieval latency is critical in real-time applications like chatbots, question answering, and search engines to ensure seamless user experiences.