| name | web-research |
| description | Best practices for conducting web research, gathering current information, cross-referencing sources, and producing well-structured research outputs. |
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
- Start broad with 2-3 word queries to understand the landscape
- Narrow with specific queries targeting gaps in what you found
- If the first search doesn't answer the question, reformulate — never repeat the same query
- Include year or date for time-sensitive topics
- 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:
- Official documentation, government sites, peer-reviewed papers
- Established news outlets, company blogs, official announcements
- Technical blogs from named authors with credentials
- 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- Flag anything that might be outdated or uncertain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
