Grafana Loki 3.3 brings faster query results via Bloom filters for structured metadata

Grafana has rolled out version 3.3 of Grafana Loki, its log aggregation system designed for storing and querying logs from applications and infrastructure. This update introduces enhancements aimed at improving log management efficiency, speed, and scalability.

A key feature in this release is the shift in how Loki utilizes Bloom filters. Transitioning from free-text search to structured metadata, this change simplifies the process of locating specific logs and enhances the query experience for the OpenTelemetry community. However, this query acceleration via Bloom filters is experimental for both Loki and Grafana Enterprise Logs (GEL) 3.3, and is available in public preview for large Grafana Cloud customers.

The new Bloom blocks come with a format incompatible with previous versions, rendering older blocks obsolete. Users are advised to delete the bloom path inside the object store to clean their Bloom blocks before upgrading to the newest version. In addition to these features, Grafana Loki 3.3 includes bug fixes and operational improvements, setting the stage for a more scalable, faster, and user-friendly experience in the future.