SELF-INDEX adapts retrieval with gated index updates
The method uses retrieval and co-retrieval evidence with faithfulness checks, not a click-engagement reinforcement loop.
SELF-INDEX’s initial arXiv submission is September 17, 2026. Its self-evolving index uses retrieval feedback, co-retrieval relationships and simulated queries. Algorithm 1 also includes gates for faithfulness, source specificity and separation before an index change is accepted.
The original article described user-click and engagement optimization and then criticized the paper for blindly pursuing clickbait. That critique addressed an invented mechanism. Retrieval feedback should not be conflated with satisfaction or click-through signals.
The practical question is whether these gated updates improve retrieval on the intended corpus without losing faithfulness or coverage. That requires task-specific evaluation and monitoring. The paper does not by itself prove unattended adaptation is safe for every corpus, but its actual safeguards must be described before assessing that risk.
Editorial correction (2026-10-13 UTC): Replaced invented click feedback with the actual gated retrieval mechanism.