Introducing web search on the Anthropic API (www.anthropic.com)

Anthropic has introduced web search capabilities to its Claude API, enabling AI models to access and incorporate up-to-date information directly from the web. This enhancement allows Claude to generate targeted search queries, analyze real-time results, and deliver answers with citations, improving accuracy and relevance—especially for queries requiring current or specialized knowledge. Developers can customize search behavior with parameters like max_uses, allowing Claude to conduct iterative searches that build on earlier findings, effectively enabling light research within responses. This innovation removes the need for developers to build separate web search infrastructure while adding fresh, reliable data streams to AI applications. The addition of web search unlocks a range of practical use cases across industries: financial services can monitor live market trends; legal apps can access recent rulings and regulatory updates; developer tools benefit from the latest API docs and tech releases; and productivity agents can integrate current company or industry research. Anthropic emphasizes trust and control, offering domain allow/block lists and organizational settings to restrict search sources, ensuring information quality and compliance. Moreover, web search is integrated into Claude Code to support developers working with evolving frameworks or troubleshooting by pulling in the latest technical resources. Already adopted by customers like Quora’s Poe platform and Adaptive.ai, the feature promises faster, more comprehensive AI responses with verifiable sources. Web search is available now on Claude 3.7 Sonnet and upgraded Claude 3.5 models at a usage-based cost, marking a significant step toward AI agents that are both knowledgeable and current in fast-moving information environments.