Run DeepSearch when you need a researched answer with sources

Use this when you need a researched answer with sources instead of a quick reply. DeepSearch is Grok's research agent. It searches the live web and X, cross-checks conflicting claims, and returns a report with sources.

Names differ across xAI sources. The Feb 2025 Grok 3 announcement calls the agent DeepSearch (x.ai/news/grok-3), the current x.ai/grok page says "deep research" (checked 2026-09-25), and Grok Build has a /deep-research command (docs.x.ai/build/modes-and-commands, checked 2026-09-25).

Turn it on

1. Open Grok on grok.com or in the Grok app. X's help pages don't describe DeepSearch on X (checked 2026-09-25).
2. Start a new chat.
3. Enable DeepSearch on the composer before you send. xAI doesn't document where the control sits.
4. Ask a research question with scope: time window, geography, what to compare, and what “done” looks like.

xAI doesn't document how long a run takes; the Grok 3 announcement calls it a "lightning-fast AI agent" (x.ai/news/grok-3). You will see Grok working through sources before the final report.

Write the ask so the agent can finish

• Name the decision: “Should we launch in Q4?” beats “thoughts on launch.”
• Constrain the sources when it matters: official docs, filings, a date range, or X handles to watch.
• Ask for citations and a short conflict note when two sources disagree.

Example: DeepSearch the last 30 days of shipping delay reports for [carrier], cite primary sources, and flag where X chatter conflicts with the company blog.

When to skip it

Use a normal chat for drafting, coding, or questions that do not need fresh pages. DeepSearch burns more usage and time. Check Settings → Usage if you are near a weekly cap.

Related

• Back to the hub: Search.
• When Grok searches on its own: When Grok uses real-time web and X search.
• Reason harder without new sources: Use Think mode when the problem needs visible reasoning.

Pitfalls

• Plan and surface decide whether DeepSearch is available and how often you can run it. If the control is missing, confirm you are on grok.com (or an updated app) and signed into the account that holds the plan.
• Citations are only as good as the pages it found. Open the linked sources before you act on a number.
• Prefixing Use DeepSearch: in the prompt can help on older UI builds when the mode control is hard to find.