> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://wiki.platelunchcollective.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Multi-hop Query

> A multi-hop query requires retrieving information from multiple distinct sources and synthesizing across them to produce an answer.

*Core concept* · *AI Search Infrastructure*

## Definition

A multi-hop query requires retrieving information from multiple distinct sources and synthesizing across them to produce an answer. Each hop retrieves a piece of the answer; the final response assembles them.

## Why It Matters for AI Search

Multi-hop queries are the hardest retrieval scenario because errors compound across hops. If the first retrieval step produces an inaccurate result, the subsequent steps build on a flawed foundation. For brands, appearing in the first hop of a multi-hop query is particularly high-value — the brand that anchors the first retrieved piece shapes the entire synthesized answer.

## Related Terms

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Query decomposition" href="/ai-search-glossary/query-decomposition" />

  <Card title="Query fan-out" href="/ai-search-glossary/query-fan-out" />

  <Card title="Sub-query" href="/ai-search-glossary/sub-query" />

  <Card title="RAG" href="/ai-search-glossary/rag" />

  <Card title="Retrieval pipeline" href="/ai-search-glossary/retrieval-pipeline" />
</CardGroup>

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