Web Search (Brave AI) - Complete Guide

Web Search (Brave AI) - Complete Guide

AI Chat can search the internet in real time using Brave Search, giving you access to current information without leaving Site Service Pro. Ask about current prices, look up businesses, find regulations, or research any topic — the AI will search the web and summarize the results for you.

What Is Web Search?

Web Search is an optional feature that extends AI Chat with the ability to search the internet. When enabled, the AI can:

• Search the web for current, real-time information
• Look up businesses and find contact details, services, and locations
• Find current prices for materials, equipment, and supplies
• Research regulations and compliance requirements
• Get industry news and recent developments
• Summarize websites and online resources

Web Search is powered by the Brave Search API, a privacy-focused search engine.

Setting Up Web Search

Step 1: Get a Brave Search API Key

1. Visit Brave Search API
2. Create a free account
3. Choose a subscription plan (a free tier is available)
4. Copy your API Key from the dashboard

Step 2: Configure in Site Service Pro

1. Navigate to Account Settings → AI Configuration
2. Click Configure Web Search (or look for the Web Search section)
3. Paste your Brave Search API Key
4. Toggle Enable Web Search to On
5. Click Test Connection to verify it works
6. Click Save

Tip: The Test Connection button will perform a sample search and show the response time, confirming your API key is working correctly.

Using Web Search

How It Works

You do not need to do anything special to use web search. Simply ask questions in AI Chat that require current information, and the AI will automatically search the web when appropriate.

The AI will use web search when you:

• Ask about current events, prices, or news
• Mention a URL or website
• Ask to "search", "look up", or "find" something online
• Request information about a business or company
• Ask questions that require up-to-date information

Example Queries

Business Lookups:

• "Look up ABC Construction in Dallas, TX"
• "Find the phone number for Smith Plumbing LLC"
• "What services does XYZ Engineering offer?"

Current Pricing and Market Data:

• "What are current copper wire prices?"
• "Search for lumber prices this month"
• "Find current rental rates for excavators"

Regulations and Compliance:

• "What are the latest OSHA fall protection requirements?"
• "Search for the current building code for commercial fire suppression"
• "Find NEC electrical code updates"

Industry Research:

• "What are the latest trends in commercial construction?"
• "Search for renewable energy construction news"
• "Find best practices for construction project scheduling"

Website Summaries:

• "Look at midamserv.com and tell me about that business"
• "Give me a summary of this website: [URL]"
• "What does this company do? [company website]"

Understanding Web Search Results

When the AI searches the web, it will:

1. Search for relevant web pages based on your query
2. Review the results from multiple sources
3. Summarize the key information in a clear response
4. Cite sources by mentioning where the information came from
5. Include URLs so you can explore further if needed

The AI synthesizes information from multiple search results rather than just listing links, giving you a comprehensive answer.

Availability

Commercial AI Mode

Web search is available in Commercial AI mode. The AI can freely search the web to supplement your project data with external information.

Private AI Mode

Web search is not available in Private AI mode. This is by design — Private AI is intentionally isolated from external internet access to maintain data security. If you need web search capability, use Commercial AI mode.

Custom / Self-Hosted AI

Web search availability with custom or self-hosted AI depends on your configuration. Web search works independently of your AI provider — it only requires the Brave Search API key to be configured.

Privacy and Data

• Brave Search is a privacy-focused search engine that does not track users
• Search queries are sent to Brave Search to retrieve results
• Your project data is never sent to Brave Search — only the search query
• Search results are processed by your configured AI provider to generate responses
• Web search activity follows the same security model as your AI Chat configuration

Managing Your Subscription

Free Tier

Brave Search offers a free tier that includes a monthly allowance of search queries. This is sufficient for most individual users and small teams.

Paid Plans

For higher query volumes, Brave Search offers paid plans with increased limits. Visit brave.com/search/api for current plan details and pricing.

Monitoring Usage

• Check your usage at the Brave Search API dashboard
• If you exceed your plan's limits, searches will return an error until the next billing cycle
• Consider upgrading your plan if you consistently reach the limit

Troubleshooting

Tips for Effective Web Searches

Be Specific

• "Current copper wire prices per foot 2026" works better than "copper prices"
• Include location when relevant: "electrician licensing requirements in Texas"

Include Context

• "OSHA construction fall protection requirements for commercial buildings" is better than "fall protection rules"
• Add industry terms: "NEC 2023 electrical code residential service panel requirements"

Use for Research, Not Data Queries

• Use web search for: current prices, regulations, company lookups, industry news
• Use regular AI Chat for: your project data, timesheets, RFIs, reports, expenses

Combine Web and Project Data

Ask questions that blend external research with your project context:

• "Based on current lumber prices, how does our material budget for the Wilson project look?"
• "Search for the latest concrete curing standards and compare with our field reports"