Web Search

Web search lets a supported text model look for current information while answering a chat request. Use it for recent events, changing product details, current regulations, schedules, or any question that needs information beyond the model's built-in knowledge.

Turn on Web search

1. Start a new chat or open an existing chat that you can edit.
2. Select a model that supports tools.
3. Select the + button in the message bar.
4. Select Web search. A Web search label appears beside the message controls when it is selected.
5. Enter a specific request and send it. For example: Search the web for the latest release notes, summarize the changes, and link to the official source.

Selecting Web search replaces other tools currently selected from the + menu. Add another tool afterward only if you intend to give the model both capabilities.

The model decides whether it needs to run a search. If the request must use current sources, say Search the web and describe the date range, region, and preferred source type.

Open the search results

When the model searches, the response shows Searched for followed by the query. Select the query to open the search-results panel. On a smaller screen, the results open in a sheet.

The panel can show up to 10 organic web results. Each result includes the source domain, page title, snippet, and a link that opens the page in a new tab.

These result cards are source links, not automatic proof for every sentence in the answer. The model may include links or citations in its written response, but inline citations are not guaranteed. Open the relevant results and verify important claims, dates, quotations, financial information, medical information, and legal information yourself.

Availability

Web search has two requirements:

• Your current workspace must have Pro-level access or higher. Pro, Ultimate, and AppSumo workspaces have access under the current plan rules. If your plan does not include it, the menu shows a Pro badge.
• The selected model must support tool calling. If the Web search item is missing or disabled, choose another text model. In Compare mode, every selected model must support tools before Web search can run.

Anonymous chats do not provide tools. In a custom Agent chat, Web Search must also be enabled under the Agent's integrations; configured Agent tools are selected automatically when that Agent opens.

Limitations

• Search availability and result freshness depend on Writingmate's search service and the pages indexed by it.
• The Web search result itself contains result titles and snippets. A snippet can be incomplete, outdated, or taken out of context, so open the source before relying on it.
• Search results can include low-quality, duplicated, or misleading pages. Ask for primary sources and compare more than one source for consequential decisions.
• A model that supports image output is not automatically compatible with Web search. The selected model must support tool calling, and Web search does not generate an image.
• Turning Web search on does not guarantee that the model will search, visit every result, or cite every claim.
• A search can fail because of a temporary provider, network, configuration, or rate-limit error. Retry later or continue without Web search.

Web search sends the model's search query to Writingmate's search provider. Do not include passwords, API keys, Developer Keys, confidential client data, or unnecessary personal information in a search request.