How do I add web search to my AI agent?
Add web search to AI agents by integrating a search API as a tool in your agent framework. For LangChain, CrewAI, or LlamaIndex: import the search tool (like Firecrawl), configure API credentials, and add to the agent's tool list. The agent invokes search autonomously when needed without additional code.
AI agents use tools—functions they can invoke to accomplish tasks. Web search becomes a tool by exposing a search API through your agent framework's tool interface. The agent decides when to search, constructs queries, calls the tool, and uses results in its reasoning.
Integration with agent frameworks
Modern agent frameworks handle search integration through tool registration. Developers install the search tool, configure API credentials, and add it to the agent's tool list. The framework manages invocation automatically.
The agent sees "search_web" as an available function. When questions require current information, the agent calls the search function and receives structured results. Frameworks like LangChain handle the mechanics of tool invocation transparently.
Choosing the right search API
Agent-friendly search APIs return structured JSON instead of HTML pages. Firecrawl's search API provides ranked results with content already extracted—markdown ready for LLM consumption. The integrated approach eliminates chaining search and scraping services.
Search APIs for agents should provide:
- Structured, consistent JSON schema
- Clean content ready for LLM processing
- Reliable service with graceful rate limit handling
- Fresh web data for current information
Agent reliability and structured output matter more than human-facing features like visual snippets.
Enabling autonomous search behavior
Once integrated, agents search autonomously based on user queries. User asks "What are current AI trends?"—agent decides to search, constructs "AI trends 2026" query, receives results, and synthesizes an answer.
Multi-step research works similarly. Agents search, evaluate results, refine queries, and search again until satisfied. The agent framework coordinates multiple search calls without explicit orchestration code.
Maximum autonomy with Firecrawl's agent endpoint
Firecrawl's /agent endpoint provides maximum autonomy. Developers describe requirements using natural language instructions—"find competitor pricing"—and the agent handles search, navigation, and extraction without managing individual API calls.
The agent endpoint interprets requirements and executes complete workflows. AI agents receive structured results without building complex coordination logic.
Key Takeaways
Add search by integrating APIs as tools in agent frameworks. Import and register—agents invoke autonomously when needed. Use search APIs returning structured, LLM-ready content for seamless integration without custom wrappers or coordination code.
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