Have you ever tried to optimize queries or the database instead of outsourcing to a separate service?

Before moving logic to a separate service, it is always worth trying to optimize queries and database structure. This may include:

• Adding or revising indexes to speed up queries.
• Optimizing SQL queries: reducing the number of JOINs, using aggregate functions, filtering at the database level.
• Caching frequently requested data.
• Analyzing and redesigning the data schema to reduce redundancy and improve performance.

If after all these steps, performance is still unsatisfactory or there are requirements for scaling and responsibility separation, then moving to a separate service is justified. Such a service can have its own database, optimized for specific tasks, and will allow better system scaling.