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How Web Search Works

The Web Search tool enables your agent to search the internet for real-time information during conversations. It provides up-to-date answers for questions beyond your agent’s training data or knowledge base.
Web Search is currently in alpha. Each search incurs an additional charge of €0.01.

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Use Cases

Current Events

Answer questions about recent news, updates, or time-sensitive information

Competitor Research

Look up current pricing, features, or offerings during sales calls

Product Information

Find specifications, availability, or reviews not in your knowledge base

Location Data

Search for addresses, hours, directions, or local information

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Configuration

Navigate to Tools in your agent editor and add a new Web Search tool.

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Basic Settings

SettingDescriptionDefault
Filler PhraseWhat the agent says while searching”Let me look that up for you…”
Max ResultsMaximum search results to return (1-10)3
Search DepthBasic (faster) or Advanced (more comprehensive)Basic
Include AI AnswerInclude an AI-generated summary of resultsEnabled

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Filler Phrase

Customize the phrase your agent says while performing the search. The search typically takes 2-5 seconds. Examples:
  • “Let me search for that…”
  • “One moment while I look this up…”
  • “I’ll find the latest information on that…”

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Search Depth

Faster results, less comprehensive
  • Response time: 1-2 seconds
  • Best for: Simple factual queries
  • Cost: Lower per search
Use when:
  • Quick answers are more important than depth
  • Simple factual questions
  • High call volume where speed matters

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Domain Restrictions

Optionally restrict searches to specific domains: 
["example.com", "docs.example.com", "help.example.com"]
Use cases for domain restrictions:
  • Limit to your own documentation sites
  • Restrict to trusted sources only
  • Focus on specific industry publications
Leave empty to search the entire web. At runtime, domains are normalized and capped at 25 entries.

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How It Works

  1. You ask a question requiring current information
  2. Agent determines web search is needed
  3. Agent speaks the filler phrase
  4. The search runs
  5. Agent synthesizes results into a natural response

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Best Practices

Write clear triggers: In your agent’s prompt, specify when to use web search: 
Use web search when:
- Asked about current events, news, or recent developments
- Questions about competitor pricing or features
- Information not in your knowledge base
- Time-sensitive data (stocks, weather, schedules)

Do NOT use web search when:
- Information is in the knowledge base
- General knowledge questions
- Company-specific information you already have
Keep filler phrases natural: Match the phrase to your agent’s personality and the situation. Use domain restrictions wisely: Only restrict if you have a specific reason. Open search provides more comprehensive results. Consider search depth: Start with Basic for speed, switch to Advanced if results are insufficient.

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Limitations

  • Internet access required: Requires network connectivity
  • Search takes time: 2-5 seconds per search
  • Results vary: Search quality depends on query clarity
  • Query length: Search queries are capped at 500 characters
  • Cost per search: Each successful search is tracked as a billable usage event

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Combining with Knowledge Base

Web Search and Knowledge Base work together:
SourceBest for
Knowledge BaseCompany-specific, curated, controlled information
Web SearchCurrent events, external data, real-time information
Recommendation: Use your knowledge base for stable company information and web search for dynamic external data.

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Next Steps

Tools Overview

Explore all available tools

Custom API Actions

Build custom integrations

Knowledge Base

Add curated information sources

Test Your Agent

Test web search in conversations