Anthropic adds web search function to Claude API

Developers can now give Anthropic’s Claude access to current information via the internet. The new web search function on the API allows AI responses to be supplemented with real-time data and external sources.

Anthropic is also making an attempt to strive for the search engine of tomorrow, just like OpenAI and Perplexity. The AI company is integrating a web search function into its Claude API. Developers can use this to build applications that retrieve and process information from the internet. The new search function is available in Claude 3.7 Sonnet, the updated 3.5 Sonnet and Claude 3.5 Haiku, for $10 per 1,000 searches, in addition to the usual costs per token.

AI Agents on the Internet

Anthropic is adding a web search function to its Claude API. When Claude receives a user request, the model independently determines if additional information from the web is needed. If so, Claude automatically performs searches, analyzes the results, and returns an answer with references to the original sources. Through multiple consecutive searches, Claude can also conduct light research and generate more coherent or in-depth answers.

The web search function can be used in various scenarios. In the financial sector, for example, Claude can analyze real-time market data. For legal applications, the model can search for recent court rulings or regulations. In software development, it provides access to the latest API documentation or technical discussions on GitHub. In business contexts, the function helps process recent market data, reports, or competitive information.

Management and control

To maintain control, Anthropic offers various management settings. Organizations can determine from which domains Claude may retrieve information. They can also block specific websites to avoid unwanted or sensitive content. At the organizational level, administrators can centrally allow or prohibit the use of the search function.

The new capability is available for Claude 3.7 Sonnet, the updated 3.5 Sonnet, and Claude 3.5 Haiku. The price is $10 per 1,000 searches, in addition to the usual costs per token.