---
ref: tool:exa/search-web
name: Search the web
company: company:exa
workflows: [workflow:sales-call-prep, workflow:community-buyer-threads, workflow:hiring-signal-outbound]
access: [mcp, api]
tags: [capability:search-web, category:web-search, has:api, has:mcp]
docs: https://exa.ai/docs/reference/search
updated: 2026-10-28
---

# Search the web

Returns web pages that match a natural-language query, up to 100 per call, with their text, highlights or summaries, and can focus on company pages, people profiles or news.

Note: On MCP, domain, date and category filters need `web_search_advanced_exa`: list it in the server URL's `tools` parameter with every other tool you want, since the list replaces the defaults.

## Set up

Use the first option your agent supports.

### MCP (official, remote)

Add this server to your agent's MCP settings, then sign in when asked.

```json
{ "mcpServers": { "exa": { "url": "https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp?login" } } }
```

Call the MCP tool `web_search_exa`.

Server URL: https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp?login

### API (official)

- Base URL: https://api.exa.ai
- Endpoint: `POST /search`
- 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.