Anthropic has recently launched a web search API for its Claude AI models, enabling developers to create AI applications with real-time information access. This new capability enhances Claude's ability to deliver current and accurate responses to user queries.
When Claude receives a request that requires up-to-date data, it uses its reasoning to determine if a web search would improve the response. If beneficial, Claude generates a specific query, analyzes the search results, and formulates a comprehensive answer with source citations, ensuring users can verify the information.
Organizations can manage Claude's web access by creating lists of allowed or blocked domains. The API also allows Claude to function as an agent, conducting multiple searches and using previous results to inform subsequent queries. The API is available for Claude 3.5 Sonnet, Claude 3.5 Haiku, and Claude Code. This update reflects a growing trend in the AI sector, where leading developers are integrating web access into their models to improve relevance and contextuality.