There are different reasons to retrieve a record
A record can be relevant because it says something similar to the question. It can also be relevant because it is connected to the selected account, service, order, or decision. Those are different relationships between the query and the data.
Choosing a retrieval strategy is easier when you can describe that reason directly. Ask whether the application needs nearby meaning, an explicit relationship, an exact term, or a combination.
Semantic search finds related meaning
Embeddings make it possible to retrieve information expressed in different words. A question about getting money back may be related to a passage about returns and reimbursement even when the wording differs.
Similarity is not proof of identity, compatibility, or authorization. A result can be semantically close while belonging to the wrong version, account, or product. Keep the constraints that matter to the application explicit.
Graph retrieval follows modeled relationships
Graph traversal is useful when the relationship itself is the evidence. An invoice belongs to an account. A service depends on another service. A decision cites a review. These edges make a path available to inspect.
The model has to establish what each edge means and how it is directed. A diagram with many lines does not automatically create a useful graph query. Begin with the paths the application needs to follow.
Compose when one signal is insufficient
A support answer may start with semantic policy retrieval and then use account or order relationships to establish context. A release review may start from a graph traversal and retrieve related documentation around its results.
Polygres provides AI Search and graph retrieval in the same platform. Choose the documented composition for your workflow and evaluate the returned evidence, rather than assuming that combining more signals always improves an answer.
Explore the next step
Continue with the interactive workflow. For the current setup and API contract, use the Polygres documentation.