Quick Answer
Ask Claude to gather and synthesize current web or connected workspace information.
Primary-source note: Anthropic says Research can use connected internal context such as Gmail, Calendar, and Google Docs when available, plus the web.
Write a research brief before asking for answers
Research prompts should define the question, scope, acceptable sources, excluded sources, date range, output format, and what would count as uncertainty. Without that, Claude may optimize for a smooth summary instead of a defensible answer.
For current product information, prefer primary sources first: official help pages, docs, release notes, pricing pages, filings, standards, and direct organization pages. Secondary commentary is useful for interpretation, but it should not be the source of record for product facts.
- State the decision the research will support.
- Name the source classes Claude should prefer.
- Ask for citations on every factual claim.
- Ask for unresolved questions and stale-source risks.
Source check: Use research on Claude from Claude Help Center.
Separate retrieval from synthesis
Ask Claude to first list the sources it found and why each source matters. Then ask for the synthesis. This creates a checkpoint where you can remove weak sources, add missing sources, or narrow the question before Claude writes the final answer.
For internal research, tell Claude which connected source to pull from. Anthropic’s own guidance says to steer Claude toward the relevant internal knowledge source if Research is not finding what you expect.
Source check: Use research on Claude from Claude Help Center.
Use contradiction hunting
The best research output is not only a summary. Ask Claude to look for contradictions: old versus new support pages, pricing pages versus blog posts, documentation versus release notes, or internal policy versus public marketing. Contradictions often matter more than the headline answer.
When a fact changes frequently, require dates. For example, “as of July 6, 2026” is more honest than “currently” if the page may change next week.
Make the final answer auditable
A strong final research answer includes a short conclusion, citation-backed facts, confidence level, source gaps, and recommended next verification step. If the output is for a stakeholder, include an appendix with source links and last-checked dates.
This is also how to prompt Claude when the answer will be reused in a report, deck, policy memo, or public page.
Prompts to Copy
Research [question]. Prefer primary sources. First return a source plan with candidate sources, why each matters, and any likely gaps. Do not synthesize yet.
Now synthesize the answer. Every factual claim needs a citation. Separate facts, interpretation, uncertainty, and recommended next checks.
Find contradictions or stale information across these sources. Give me a table with source, claim, date, conflict, and which source should be treated as authoritative.
Cite this page
Claude Helps, "How to Use Claude Research", https://claudehelps.com/research (updated 2026-07-06).
Primary Sources
- Use research on Claude Claude Help Center
- Use Google Workspace connectors Claude Help Center
- Use connectors to extend Claude's capabilities Claude Help Center
FAQ
When should I use Claude Research?
Use Research when the answer depends on current web information or connected internal context rather than only what you paste into the chat.
How do I make Claude Research cite better sources?
Name the source classes to prefer, ask for a source plan first, and require citations for factual claims.
Can Claude Research use my Google Workspace data?
Anthropic says Research can use connected internal context such as Gmail, Calendar, and Google Docs when those integrations are connected.