Web search

Web search lets the agent search the web for an answer when it can't find one in its knowledge base. It works as a fallback for queries your uploaded data doesn't cover — instead of "I don't know," the agent tries to find an answer on the web. It's disabled by default.

1. How to do it

  1. In the left menu under the selected agent, click Configuration.

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  1. In the right column, expand Advanced settings.

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  1. Enable the Web search toggle.

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  1. In the Web search URL addresses field, enter the websites where the agent should search — one address or domain per line. Format can be example.com, example.com/blog, or https://example.com/page.

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  1. Click Save.

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From this point on, the agent uses the web as a fallback: it searches its knowledge base first, and if the answer isn't there, it searches the web.

2. Two search modes

Where the agent searches is determined by the address field:

  • Empty field → open web. The agent searches the open internet for an answer. Suitable when you want the broadest coverage and don't mind not having full control over the source.
  • Specified addresses → selected websites only. The agent searches only the domains and pages you specify (and their subpages). This keeps it on trusted sources you define.

3. How web search works

  • It's a fallback, not a replacement for the knowledge base. Your uploaded data always takes priority. Web search is used only when the answer isn't in the knowledge base.
  • Content isn't loaded in advance. Unlike adding a source, where Kanbu processes the website into the knowledge base, web search content is looked up at query time. Answers can therefore reflect even recent changes on the web.
  • Default state is off. Until you enable the toggle, the agent draws exclusively from the knowledge base.

4. When to use it

  • The website contains information that changes frequently and you don't want to re-upload it as a source each time.
  • You want to give the agent broader coverage than just manually selected pages.
  • You have a large website and don't want to add all subpages as a source, but want the agent to be able to draw from them when needed.

If you need the agent to always know specific information reliably, add the website as a source to the knowledge base — see Adding sources.

Frequently asked questions

  • What's the difference between web search and adding a website as a source?

    An added source is processed by Kanbu in advance into the knowledge base and the agent draws from it preferentially. Web search doesn't process anything upfront — it serves as a fallback the agent uses only when the answer isn't in the knowledge base. For key information, choose adding a source; for supplementary coverage, use web search.

  • Do I have to specify particular websites?

    No. If you leave the address field empty, the agent searches the open web. If you enter addresses, you limit search to those only.

  • How do I specify multiple websites?

    Write each address or domain on a separate line.

  • Does enabling take effect immediately?

    After saving, yes — try it in the Playground with a question that has no answer in the knowledge base.

Related

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