Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable storage media for selecting columns for using searchable encryption to query a database storing encrypted data. Implementations include actions of receiving a set of search indices, receiving a search token, and in response: searching at least one search index of the set of search indices based on the search token, and determining that the at least one search index is absent an entry corresponding to the search token, and in response, receiving one or more identifiers, each identifier being associated with a respective ciphertext that is determined to be responsive to the search token, and updating the at least one index to include an entry based on the search token and the one or more identifiers; and transmitting search results, the search results including the one or more ciphertexts that are determined to be responsive to the search token.