More accurate retrieval of original documents is conducted by adaptively evaluating retrieval results, which are obtained by retrieving attributes, in accordance with layout information. To achieve this, there is provided an information processing method for retrieving image data that is similar to an entered document image, the method including a step (S402) of segmenting the entered document image into a plurality of areas on a per-attribute basis; a step of calculating degree of similarity, for every area obtained by segmentation, using a retrieval step suited to the attribute; and a step (S406) of calculating overall degree of similarity in which the degree of similarity calculated for every area obtained by segmentation is weighted.