---
title: "Web Search"
description: "Configure Noema Web Search, understand research, open, and find, and review what the selected service receives."
version: "Noema 3.9+"
platforms: ["iPhone", "iPad", "Mac", "Vision Pro"]
reviewed: "September 13, 2026"
canonical: "https://noemaai.com/docs/web-search"
---

# Web Search

Search controls, source reading, custom SearXNG behavior, and privacy boundaries.

## Turn on Web Search in Chat

In **Simple and Advanced modes**, the Web Search control is in the context bar directly above the message input. Web Search must be armed there before the AI can use it. The main Web Search setting is on by default; if the control is unavailable, check **Settings → Tools → Web Search**.

### Beginner mode

Web Search is available by default. There is no Web switch to manage: the AI decides when a question needs current information and searches automatically.

### Simple mode

Tap the slim model-and-status bar directly above **Ask…** to expand it. Under **Capabilities**, tap **Web**. Then send your question; the AI can search when it is useful.

### Advanced mode

Open the same context bar above the input, then tap **Web** under **Capabilities**. The Web control must be active before you send the request.

![Noema chat showing the collapsed model and context bar directly above the Ask input.](https://noemaai.com/image-uploads/docs-web-search-simple.webp)

**Simple mode.** Tap the model-and-status bar directly above the message input to reveal its capability controls.

![Noema chat with the context bar expanded to show Web and the other capability controls.](https://noemaai.com/image-uploads/docs-web-search-advanced.webp)

**Advanced mode.** In the expanded context bar, tap Web under Capabilities before sending a request that may need current information.

> The active model must support tool calling. Off-grid Mode blocks Web Search, and an active dataset can make standalone Web Search unavailable.

## Three web actions

| Action | Purpose |
| --- | --- |
| research | Searches and assembles candidate evidence for a question. |
| open | Reads a selected source when supported. |
| find | Locates relevant text within an opened source. |

> Text-layer PDFs can be read. The source reader does not execute page JavaScript or perform OCR on image-only material.

## What may be sent

The selected search service receives the generated query, locale, and search controls. Rich retrieval can also send candidate URLs, snippets or source references, and open or find parameters to Noema’s source reader. Returned evidence is then provided to the active model.

A custom SearXNG instance supplies snippet-only search results; it does not provide Noema’s richer server-side source reading.

## Availability and quotas

Noema does not impose an in-app web-search quota or subscription. Availability can still be affected by the selected service, upstream providers, rate limits, maintenance, or network conditions.

## Verify the evidence

- Open cited sources and check the publication date.
- Use find to inspect the passage behind a claim.
- Treat snippets as leads, not complete evidence.
- Off-grid Mode blocks Web Search.

## Related documentation
- [Chat Tools & Tool Store](https://noemaai.com/docs/tool-usage)
- [Privacy & Network Activity](https://noemaai.com/docs/privacy-and-network-activity)
- [Chat Interface](https://noemaai.com/docs/chat-interface)