Web Research Skill

Use this skill when tasked with researching topics, answering questions that need current data, gathering information from multiple sources, or producing research-backed outputs.

Search Strategy

1. Start broad with 2-3 word queries to understand the landscape
2. Narrow with specific queries targeting gaps in what you found
3. If the first search doesn't answer the question, reformulate — never repeat the same query
4. Include year or date for time-sensitive topics
5. Use 3-5 searches minimum for any research task — one search is never enough for a thorough answer

Query Tips

• Short queries work best: "AI regulation EU 2026" not "What are the latest AI regulations in the European Union as of 2026?"
• Use domain-specific terms when searching technical topics
• Search for opposing viewpoints explicitly: "criticism of X", "problems with X"
• For recent events, include "2026" or "latest" or "today"

Source Evaluation

Prefer sources in this order:

1. Official documentation, government sites, peer-reviewed papers
2. Established news outlets, company blogs, official announcements
3. Technical blogs from named authors with credentials
4. Community forums, Reddit, Stack Overflow (useful but verify claims)

Skip: SEO content farms, listicles with no sources, anonymous posts making strong claims.

Cross-Referencing

• Never rely on a single source for factual claims
• If two sources contradict each other, search for a third
• Note when information is contested or uncertain
• Check publication dates — prefer the most recent source for evolving topics

Output Structure

When writing research results:

• Lead with a summary or TL;DR — the most important findings in 2-3 sentences
• Organize by subtopic, not by source
• State findings in your own words — do not copy-paste
• Note confidence level: "confirmed by multiple sources" vs "reported by one outlet"
• Include source URLs for any specific claims
• Flag anything that might be outdated or uncertain

Saving Research

When saving research to files:

• Use markdown format
• Include a "Sources" section at the end with URLs
• Add the date the research was conducted
• Structure with clear headings so the document is scannable

Common Pitfalls

• Don't stop at the first result that seems to answer the question
• Don't treat search snippets as the full picture — click through and read
• Don't ignore results that contradict your initial findings
• Don't present speculation as fact
• Don't skip attribution — always note where information came from