---
source_url: "https://backboard.io/capabilities/web-search?utm_source=openai"
title: "Web Search API - Real-Time Grounded Answers | Backboard"
mirrored_at: 2026-08-06T01:05:06.835Z
host: backboard.io
cited_in_42a: true
mirror_canonical: "https://index.42a.ai/backboard.io/capabilities/web-search__q__utm_source_openai"
---

> **Original source:** https://backboard.io/capabilities/web-search?utm_source=openai

## Real-time answers from the live web.

Give any model access to current information at inference time. No tool calling setup, no external plugins.

## What is web search?

Backboard web search gives any model live access to the internet at inference time. Queries are issued, results fetched and ranked, and the freshest, most relevant sources are grounded into the response — no tool-calling setup or plugins.

### Current, cited answers — without the plumbing.

##### Real-time results

Fetch up-to-the-minute information from the open web so responses reflect what is true right now, not stale training data.

##### Zero setup

Add web grounding to any model call with a single parameter — no tool-calling wiring, scrapers, or external plugins.

##### Source-backed

Every answer comes with the sources behind it, so users can verify claims and follow links to the original material.

/01

## Live Retrieval

Issue search queries to the live web at inference time and pull back the most relevant, current results for the model.

/02

## Ranking & Filtering

Score and filter results for relevance and freshness so only the most useful sources are passed into the response.

/03

Inject fetched web content into the model call so responses stay accurate and current with the real world.

/04

## Citations

Return the sources behind every answer so users can verify information and click through to the original pages.