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Cloudflare has launched Web Search API in beta, allowing AI agents and applications to retrieve current internet search results through AI Gateway. At launch, developers can select Ceramic.ai, Exa or Linkup; pricing follows each provider’s list API price, with no additional markup, according to Cloudflare.
Cloudflare launched Web Search API in beta on October 2, giving AI agents and applications a way to search the live internet and use current information in their responses. The service runs through Cloudflare AI Gateway and initially offers a choice of three search providers: Ceramic.ai, Exa and Linkup.
Cloudflare says the API is intended to help applications ground responses in live search results, rather than rely only on a model’s training data or attempt to guess URLs. Developers can send requests through a REST API or call the service from a Cloudflare Worker using an AI binding. The company’s example request specifies a query, provider and result limit.
Search requests pass through AI Gateway, where they appear in gateway logs. Cloudflare says usage is billed against AI Gateway credits at each provider’s list API price, with no additional markup. Developers can also use their own provider API key, according to the announcement.
Cloudflare says all three launch providers support Zero Data Retention for requests made through Cloudflare and have committed to its verified bot crawling standards. These are claims in the company’s launch materials; the announcement does not provide further technical details about how the commitments are implemented or verified.
Live Search for AI Applications
The beta gives developers a way to connect AI applications to current web information through a Cloudflare-managed interface, rather than integrating only with a model’s existing training data. That could be useful for products answering questions about recent events or changing information, where older model knowledge may not be sufficient.
Routing search through AI Gateway also puts requests in the same service used for gateway logging and billing. For teams already using that platform, the arrangement may make it easier to monitor search activity and manage costs alongside other AI traffic. However, Cloudflare has not announced performance comparisons, search quality measurements or production service guarantees for the beta.
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Three Providers at Launch
Cloudflare’s October 2 announcement names Ceramic.ai, Exa and Linkup as the providers available at launch. Users select a provider when making a request; Cloudflare’s examples show Ceramic.ai and Exa. The company directs developers to its Web Search API documentation for setup instructions.
The service is presented as a search layer for applications and agents, not as a replacement for the underlying AI model. Its stated role is to supply results from the internet that an application can use to support responses. The announcement does not specify how results are ranked, whether responses include citations by default, or which regions and account types can access the beta.
““Web Search API is now available in beta.””
— Cloudflare
Beta Scope and Safeguards
Cloudflare has not specified how long the beta will run, when general availability might begin, or whether the provider lineup will change. The announcement also gives no benchmarks for result relevance, speed or reliability, and does not state whether all customers can access the beta.
Further details are also limited on data retention and crawling standards. Cloudflare says the providers support Zero Data Retention for requests made through its service and have committed to verified bot crawling standards, but does not describe the verification process, exceptions, or how those policies apply to downstream use of search results.
Access and Product Details
Developers can consult Cloudflare’s Web Search API documentation to get started with REST requests or a Worker’s AI binding. Cloudflare has not named a date for the next product milestone. Further updates would clarify beta access, service limits, provider options and whether the API will move to general availability.
Key Questions
What is Cloudflare Web Search API?
It is a beta service that lets AI agents and applications search the internet for live information through Cloudflare AI Gateway.
Which search providers are available?
Cloudflare lists Ceramic.ai, Exa and Linkup as the three providers available at launch.
How is API usage billed?
Cloudflare says requests are billed to AI Gateway credits at the selected provider’s list API price, with no additional markup. Developers may also bring their own provider API key.
Is the API generally available?
No. Cloudflare announced it as a beta on October 2, 2026, and did not provide a general-availability date.
Source: hn
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