1. A method of identifying related objects in a computer database, comprising: (a) obtaining a feature vector that describes an existing object; (b) generating comparison scores between the feature vector and plural sample vectors, the plural sample vectors selected to preclude having to directly compare the existing object to a plurality of other objects in the computer database for identifying at least one related object to the existing object; (c) identifying a set that includes at least one designated vector, from among the sample vectors, by evaluating the comparison scores generated in step (b); (d) searching a computer database for matches between at least one label for the at least one designated vector and labels for representative vectors for the other objects; and (e) identifying the at least one related object based on at least one match identified in step (d), the at least one related object being identified as related to the existing object without directly comparing the existing object to the at least one related object, wherein the sample vectors that are identified as the at least one designated vector serve as a proxy to which the existing object and the other objects are directly compared to identify the at least one related object for the existing object without having to directly compare the existing object to the other objects.
5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein each of a plurality of the comparison scores comprises an inner product between the feature vector and a corresponding one of the plural sample vectors.