How to Research a Topic with Claude and Web Search (with Citations)

The short version

With web search on, Claude can look things up and show you where each fact came from. That turns research from “trust me” into “here’s the page”. Your job is to ask a focused question and open the sources that matter.

Step by step

1. Turn on web search: press + in the lower-left of the chat box and choose Web search, per Anthropic’s Help Center. In some newer versions there’s no toggle; Claude searches when it helps.
2. Ask a focused question: “Which accounting apps for US small businesses offer payroll, and what do they cost?” beats “tell me about accounting software”.
3. Ask for citations next to each claim.
4. Open the important sources: check the page exists, is current and says what Claude says.
5. Prefer original sources: the company’s own pricing page, the government agency, the study itself.
6. Ask for the other side: “What do critics say?”, “What’s missing from these sources?”

Prompts to copy

Compare products:

Search the web and compare [3 products] for [use]. Table: price, main features, limits, who it's best for.
Cite the vendor's own page for each price, and give the date each page shows if any.

Check a market:

I'm thinking of opening a [business] in [town]. Search for: competitors nearby, typical prices,
and any local rules I'd need to know. Cite sources, and say which facts you couldn't find.

Get both sides:

Find the strongest arguments for and against [decision], from credible sources. Cite each.
Tell me where the sources disagree and why.

Mistakes to avoid

• Broad questions. You’ll get a broad, shallow answer.
• Not opening the links. Citations only help if you check them.
• Trusting summaries of summaries. Go to the original source for anything you’ll act on.
• Old information. Check the date on each source; prices and rules change.

When not to use it

For legal, medical or financial decisions, use research to prepare good questions, then talk to a professional.

Related: fact-check Claude’s answers.