What is the primary goal of implementing read replicas in databases?

The primary goal of implementing read replicas in databases is to improve read performance. Read replicas create copies of the primary database that can handle read requests, allowing the primary database to focus on write operations. This setup helps distribute the workload, particularly in environments where read operations far outnumber write operations, leading to faster query responses and reduced latency for end users.

By offloading read queries to replicas, the overall system can handle more requests simultaneously, thereby enhancing user experience, particularly in high-traffic situations. This design is particularly valuable in applications where data is frequently read but infrequently updated, as it maximizes efficiency while maintaining data consistency across replicas.

While read replicas can support backup strategies or help in strict data consistency scenarios, these are not their primary purposes. The focus remains on effectively managing and improving read performance in a database environment.