Browse documentation

Web search

On some models, the AI can look things up on the web while it answers, and cite its sources.

2 min Updated 22 July 2026

1Turn it on

Open the Tools menu in the message box and enable Web search. If the model you picked can't search, the option says so and is simply skipped.

The Tools menu with the Web search toggle.
Switch on Web search from the Tools menu.

2What happens

  • Your question may be sent to a search engine by the AI provider to find sources.
  • The results and citations are encrypted like the rest of your message, and shown inline as clickable sources.
  • Each search that runs adds a small flat fee on top of the usual cost — see plans & pricing.

Keep reading

Choosing a modelCognos offers many models. Pick one by name, or filter by what you need — speed, reasoning, web search, or images.Privacy tiersYour privacy tier sets the furthest your messages may travel to be answered. It changes which models you can use — and nothing else.Plans & pricingStart with free trial credit, then choose Pay-As-You-Go or Unlimited. Payments run through Paddle.