How can you research with AI and check the information?

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3 ways to find information

Previously, you would type into Google and open one website after another, hoping to find useful content. Now there are 3 approaches, each suited to a different situation:

From the model’s knowledge: For a question about something stable, such as “How do I add automatic Captions in CapCut?” The model answers from its training. Keep in mind that its information lags a little behind today.
Quick search: For changing information: news, a date, or a price. The model searches the internet and answers with sources. You do not need the strongest model here; a fast model is enough.
Deep Research: For a comprehensive report: a market study, thesis topic, product comparison, or a new field you want to understand. The tool visits hundreds of websites in minutes and returns an organized report.

Ask yourself first

Is this information stable or changing? Do I need an answer or a report? That tells you which approach to use.

Tools

The best research tools

Deep Research in Gemini and ChatGPT: Choose Deep Research from the (+) menu. The tool first shows you a research plan to approve or edit, then begins. In Gemini, you can also have it search your Gmail and Drive alongside the web and upload files to combine with the research.
Perplexity: One of the first tools to offer this approach. Each answer has its sources beside it, and you can limit searches to scientific websites or people’s discussions.
Google AI Mode: Like talking to Gemini inside Google Search. Continue the conversation, upload images and files, and ask follow-up questions.
Gemini Notebook: For research whose results you want to keep with your sources. When adding sources, you can run a quick search or Deep Research and add the report and its sources to the notebook to ask questions about later.

If you already subscribe to a paid tool, start there. Most tools now offer Deep Research, and free versions give you a limited number of attempts. These limits change over time.

The step that makes the difference

Write the research prompt properly

Deep Research takes time, so a poor prompt wastes an attempt. Before starting, explain:

Who you are and what you want to achieve: Your goal determines the research focus.
The questions you want answered: List them as bullet points.
Source type: Scientific websites? People’s opinions? Shopping websites such as Amazon and Jumia? Offer and coupon websites?
Report format and language: Do you want Arabic? Colloquial language? A comparison table?

A Deep Research prompt

Copy the prompt as it is, or tailor it with your details first.

Tailor the prompt to your workOptional: add your details and the prompt adjusts itself

Your work and experienceTopicGoalQuestion 1Question 2Question 3Source type

View full prompt

I am [who you are and what you do]. I want to learn about [topic] for [goal]. Focus on these questions: [question 1], [question 2], [question 3]. Use [source type: official websites / scientific research / user experiences / shopping websites], and ignore weak or promotional sources. Write the report in simple Arabic, starting with a 5-point summary, then the details. Put any comparison in a table. Add a source link beside each important piece of information and distinguish confirmed information from opinion. If you are missing information that would change the result, ask me first.

Before you deliver:
put a source beside each important piece of information, and distinguish confirmed information from your conclusions.

Not sure how to write the prompt? Open a regular chat and ask it to question you:

Have it prepare the research prompt for you

Copy the prompt as it is, or tailor it with your details first.

Tailor the prompt to your workOptional: add your details and the prompt adjusts itself

Topic

View full prompt

I am interested in researching [topic]. Ask me all the questions you need answered, then after I respond, write a professional Deep Research prompt I can copy and use.

Before you deliver: ask me in short batches, and don’t start researching before I approve the prompt.

Before relying on the result

The report is convincing… but is it actually correct?

Deep Research reports look very organized and convincing. That is exactly why you should check:

Review the research plan before it starts: If the plan heads in the wrong direction, adjust it instead of waiting for a report you do not need.
Open the sources for important information: For any number or fact you will rely on, visit the source and see it yourself.
Ask: whose source? An official page differs from a forum post or a website selling the product.

After the research

The report is not the final stop

Export it: To Google Docs for editing, or Gemini Notebook as a source you can ask questions about later.
Transform it: In Gemini, you can turn the answer into a web page, infographic, quiz, presentation, or audio summary.
Share it: Through a link with your team or colleagues.

Try it in your life

Uses to start with

Your work: “I am a content writer. Which tasks can AI do for me, which can it partly help with, and which do I need to do myself?”
Before buying: The best price for a product, subscription offers and coupons, or a free month.
Study and scientific research: A thesis topic or a review of research on a specific point.
A new field: You want to understand a field or learn its latest AI applications.

A workflow example

From an unclear question to a report you can rely on

Define the research type: Stable information, quick search, or an in-depth report.
Prepare the prompt: Yourself, or have AI ask you questions and write it for you.
Start Deep Research and review the plan before approving.
Read the summary and open sources for important points.
Export the report to Gemini Notebook and continue asking questions about it, or turn it into the format you will use.