---
ref: tool:exa/create-monitor
name: Monitor the web for new results
company: company:exa
workflows: []
access: [api]
tags: [capability:track-intent, category:web-search, has:api]
docs: https://exa.ai/docs/reference/monitors/create-a-monitor
updated: 2026-09-27
---

# Monitor the web for new results

Creates a monitor that reruns an Exa search on a schedule and sends only new, deduplicated results to your webhook.

Note: Store the `webhookSecret` from the response: it is returned only once and verifies webhook signatures. Each run only fetches content from after the previous run, so write the query around the ongoing signal, not a date range.

## Set up

Use the first option your agent supports.

### API (official)

- Base URL: https://api.exa.ai
- Endpoint: `POST /monitors`
- Auth: send the header `Authorization: Bearer $EXA_API_KEY`
- Get a key: https://dashboard.exa.ai/api-keys
- Docs: https://exa.ai/docs/get-started/quickstart

Before anything else, confirm access with the cheapest read-only call, like a list or a search. Never send or change anything to test access.

## Rules

- Ask the user before anything that sends messages, costs money, or changes data, and say how many records it touches. One approval covers a batch the user has seen.
- Never print API keys.