Anthropic Releases New Claude AI API with Web Search
Anthropic has launched a new API enabling its Claude AI models to perform web searches. This API allows developers to create applications powered by Claude that deliver current information, enhancing user experience and functionality.
This release follows Anthropic's recent introduction of application connectivity for Claude and an expanded "deep research" capability. This feature allows Claude to search enterprise accounts, websites, and other sources.
With the web search API, developers can now augment Claude's knowledge base with real-time data. This eliminates the need for developers to manage their own web search infrastructure.
Developers can augment Claude's comprehensive knowledge with up-to-date data. pic.twitter.com/pRQf0ZKXUZ
— Anthropic (@AnthropicAI) May 7, 2025
How the Web Search API Works
Claude uses its reasoning capabilities to determine if a request requires current information. If so, it generates a search query, retrieves results, analyzes them, and provides a cited answer.
Claude can refine queries and conduct multiple searches, using previous results to inform subsequent ones. Developers can customize this behavior and specify allowed and disallowed search domains. They can also enable or disable web search at the organizational level.
Anthropic is also integrating web search into Claude Code, its coding assistance tool. This allows Claude Code to access up-to-date API documentation, technical articles, and other development resources. Claude Code remains in beta as a research preview.
