| name | duckduckgo-search-skill |
| description | Search the web using DuckDuckGo for free, privacy-focused results with no API key required. |
| allowed-tools | duckduckgo_search |
| metadata | {"author":"opencompany","version":"2.0","category":"search"} |
DuckDuckGo Search Skill
This skill enables free web search via DuckDuckGo. No API key required.
For premium search providers, see the dedicated skills:
- brave-search-skill - Brave Search API (independent index, privacy-focused)
- serper-search-skill - Serper API (Google-powered, news/images/places)
- perplexity-search-skill - Perplexity Sonar AI (synthesized answers with citations)
How It Works
This skill provides instructions and context. To execute web searches, connect the DuckDuckGo Search node to the agent's input-tools handle.
web_search Tool
Search the web using DuckDuckGo and get relevant results.
Schema Fields
| Field | Type | Required | Description |
|---|
| query | string | Yes | The search query to look up on the web |
Node Parameters
| Parameter | Default | Description |
|---|
| maxResults | 5 | Number of results to return |
Examples
Basic search:
{
"query": "latest news about artificial intelligence"
}
Factual search:
{
"query": "population of Tokyo 2024"
}
Current events:
{
"query": "weather forecast New York today"
}
Technical search:
{
"query": "how to use Python asyncio gather"
}
Response Format
{
"query": "artificial intelligence news",
"results": [
{
"title": "AI Breakthrough in Medical Research",
"snippet": "Researchers have developed a new AI model that can predict...",
"url": "https://example.com/ai-medical-research"
},
{
"title": "OpenAI Announces New Model",
"snippet": "The company revealed its latest advancement in...",
"url": "https://example.com/openai-announcement"
}
],
"provider": "duckduckgo"
}
When to Use DuckDuckGo Search
Use DuckDuckGo search when the user asks about:
- Current events and news - Recent happenings, breaking news, current affairs
- Real-time data - Stock prices, weather, sports scores, exchange rates
- Recent information - Events, releases, or changes after your knowledge cutoff
- Specific facts - Population, statistics, dates that may have changed
- Technical documentation - Latest API docs, library versions, tutorials
- Local information - Business hours, addresses, phone numbers
- Product information - Prices, availability, reviews
When NOT to Use DuckDuckGo Search
Avoid searching when:
- General knowledge - Well-established facts that won't change
- Simple calculations - Use the calculator tool instead
- Creative tasks - Writing, brainstorming, analysis
- Personal advice - Relationship, life decisions
- Subjective opinions - Preferences, recommendations without factual basis
Choosing the Right Search Provider
| Need | Recommended Provider | Tool Node |
|---|
| Free search, no API key | DuckDuckGo | DuckDuckGo Search |
| Google-quality results | Serper | Serper Search |
| News, images, places | Serper | Serper Search |
| Privacy-focused, independent | Brave | Brave Search |
| AI-synthesized answers | Perplexity | Perplexity Search |
| Research with citations | Perplexity | Perplexity Search |
Search Query Best Practices
Do:
- Use specific, focused queries
- Include relevant keywords
- Add context like dates, locations, or names
- Break complex questions into simpler searches
Don't:
- Use overly long queries (keep under 10 words when possible)
- Include unnecessary words like "please" or "can you tell me"
- Ask questions as full sentences (use keywords instead)
Examples of Good vs Bad Queries
| Bad Query | Good Query |
|---|
| "Can you please tell me what the weather is like in London today?" | "London weather today" |
| "I want to know about the latest iPhone model and its features" | "iPhone 16 Pro specifications" |
| "What is happening in the stock market right now?" | "stock market news today" |
Handling Results
- Summarize the key findings from search results
- Cite sources when providing specific information
- Indicate uncertainty if results are conflicting or unclear
- Suggest follow-up searches if the initial results are insufficient
- Combine multiple searches for comprehensive answers
Limitations
- DuckDuckGo uses the
ddgs library (free, no API key)
- Results depend on DuckDuckGo's index
- Some recent events may not be indexed immediately
- Paywalled content may show limited snippets
- Results are in English by default
Setup Requirements
- Connect this skill to the agent's
input-skill handle
- Connect the DuckDuckGo Search node to the agent's
input-tools handle
- No API key required for DuckDuckGo
