Indexes in databases enhance performance by efficiently navigating data storage and reducing workload when reading from disk.Without indexes, databases perform full table scans, reading all blocks sequentially, leading to slow query processing.Indexes are smaller, structured tables that act as lookup guides, storing indexed values and pointers to actual data rows.Creating an index on a column results in faster query execution by scanning the index rather than the entire table.Indexes improve performance by reducing disk I/O, enabling targeted data retrieval, and aiding query planning.Index selectivity, diverse value columns work best, and there are trade-offs like increased disk space and slower write operations.Indexes are a crucial tool for optimizing database performance, minimizing full table scans, and improving query speed.By analyzing query plans, using appropriate indexes, and optimizing queries, significant performance gains can be achieved.Indexes are a key factor in database optimization, reducing the need for costly scans and enhancing query efficiency.Understanding and leveraging indexes can greatly improve database performance, benefiting both users and servers.Next time facing slow queries, focus on query analysis, WHERE clauses, and index optimization for better performance outcomes.