> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.textql.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Web Search

> Search the web for current information

Search the web to answer questions about current events, recent data, or information not available in your connected data sources. Powered by Exa.

<Note>
  **Powered by Exa:** Ana uses Exa's advanced search capabilities to find the most relevant and up-to-date information from across the web.
</Note>

<Info>
  **Availability:** Web search is only available when an Exa API key has been configured for your deployment. If you don't see the web search tool in your workspace, contact your administrator or refer to the [deployment configuration](/core/admin/compliance/deployment-types) docs.
</Info>

<Frame caption="Web search results">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/textql/_MjEsXv_WMgj05pB/images/tool/web_search_tool.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=_MjEsXv_WMgj05pB&q=85&s=dacb34afa272ebb85d6e9d51a6561e8c" alt="Web search results" width="3018" height="1922" data-path="images/tool/web_search_tool.png" />
</Frame>

## <Icon icon="gears" iconType="solid" /> How It Works

When you ask a question that requires external information, Ana:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Identify Information Gap">
    Ana determines that the information isn't available in your data warehouse.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Formulate Search Query">
    Creates an optimized search query based on your question.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Search the Web">
    Uses Exa to search the web for relevant, recent information.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Retrieve Results">
    Gathers the most relevant results from authoritative sources.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Synthesize Answer">
    Combines and summarizes the information into a coherent answer.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## <Icon icon="circle-check" iconType="solid" /> When to Use

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Real-Time Data" icon="clock">
    Stock prices, weather conditions, current events, live data feeds
  </Card>

  <Card title="Market Trends" icon="chart-line-up">
    Industry news, competitor information, market analysis, emerging trends
  </Card>

  <Card title="Recent News" icon="newspaper">
    Breaking news, company announcements, product launches, press releases
  </Card>

  <Card title="General Knowledge" icon="book-open">
    Information not in your warehouse, definitions, research papers
  </Card>

  <Card title="External Context" icon="globe">
    Public data to enrich your internal analysis, benchmarks, industry standards
  </Card>

  <Card title="Competitive Intelligence" icon="magnifying-glass-chart">
    Competitor pricing, market positioning, feature comparisons
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## <Icon icon="link" iconType="solid" /> Combining with Other Tools

Web Search becomes even more powerful when combined with other tools:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="With Text to SQL">
    **Enrich warehouse data with external context**

    <CodeGroup>
      ```text Example Query theme={null}
      "Compare our Q4 revenue to industry trends reported in the news"
      ```
    </CodeGroup>

    Ana will:

    1. Query your warehouse for Q4 revenue
    2. Search the web for industry trends
    3. Combine both datasets for comparison
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="With Python">
    **Analyze external data alongside internal data**

    <CodeGroup>
      ```text Example Query theme={null}
      "Get current exchange rates and convert our international sales to USD"
      ```
    </CodeGroup>

    Ana will:

    1. Search for current exchange rates
    2. Query your sales data
    3. Use Python to perform conversions
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="With Ontology">
    **Add external benchmarks to business metrics**

    <CodeGroup>
      ```text Example Query theme={null}
      "How does our customer acquisition cost compare to industry averages?"
      ```
    </CodeGroup>

    Ana will:

    1. Calculate CAC from your ontology
    2. Search for industry benchmarks
    3. Provide comparative analysis
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## <Icon icon="lightbulb" iconType="solid" /> Best Practices

<Tip>
  **Source Credibility:** Always review the sources Ana cites to ensure they're authoritative and relevant to your needs.
</Tip>

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Be Specific About Sources" icon="bullseye">
    If you want information from specific websites or domains, mention them explicitly in your question.

    **Example:** "Search TechCrunch and VentureBeat for AI startup funding trends"
  </Card>

  <Card title="Specify Time Ranges" icon="calendar">
    For time-sensitive queries, mention the time period you're interested in.

    **Example:** "Find news about cloud computing from the past 30 days"
  </Card>

  <Card title="Combine with Internal Data" icon="arrows-to-circle">
    Use web search to add context to your warehouse data for richer insights.

    **Example:** "Compare our growth rate to what analysts are saying about the industry"
  </Card>

  <Card title="Ask for Summaries" icon="list">
    Request Ana to summarize findings from multiple sources.

    **Example:** "Summarize the top 5 articles about remote work trends in 2024"
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Warning>
  **Verification Recommended:** While Exa provides high-quality results, always verify critical information from multiple sources, especially for business-critical decisions.
</Warning>

## <Icon icon="rocket" iconType="solid" /> Use Cases

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Competitive Analysis" icon="chess">
    * Monitor competitor announcements and product launches
    * Track pricing changes and market positioning
    * Identify competitor strengths and weaknesses
    * Discover new entrants in your market
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Market Research" icon="magnifying-glass-dollar">
    * Identify industry trends and forecasts
    * Gather market size and growth data
    * Find customer sentiment and reviews
    * Research regulatory changes
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Data Enrichment" icon="database">
    * Add external demographics to customer data
    * Enrich company records with public information
    * Append industry classifications
    * Include economic indicators in analysis
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Real-Time Monitoring" icon="bell">
    * Track stock prices and financial markets
    * Monitor social media trends
    * Follow breaking news in your industry
    * Watch for PR crises or brand mentions
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>