How Deep Research Works

All plans (limits vary)2 min read

Step 1: Plan

Analyzes your question, identifies subtopics, and creates a multi step research strategy with specific search queries for each area.

Step 2: Browse

Executes dozens of web searches across different angles, visiting multiple results per query across the open web.

Step 3: Read

Reads full articles, documents, and PDFs. Interprets images, charts, and graphs. Extracts data and key findings from each source.

Step 4: Reason

Evaluates findings for consistency, identifies contradictions, spots gaps in understanding, and generates new questions to investigate.

Step 5: Pivot

Adjusts strategy based on what it has learned. Follows promising leads, abandons unproductive paths, and conducts targeted follow up searches.

Step 6: Synthesize

Compiles all findings into a structured report with sections, summaries, key takeaways, and inline citations to every source.

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Humanity's Last Exam (vs o1: 9.1%)

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GAIA benchmark score

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Maximum research session

Full Model (o3)

Duration

10 to 30 minutes

Sources analyzed

Hundreds

Report depth

Comprehensive, multi section

Reasoning quality

Deep, multi step reasoning

Best for

Critical research, thorough investigations

Plus quota

10/month

Pro quota

125/month

Lightweight (o4-mini)

Duration

5 to 15 minutes

Sources analyzed

Dozens

Report depth

Concise overview

Reasoning quality

Faster, shallower reasoning

Best for

Quick overviews, less consequential queries

Plus quota

15/month

Pro quota

125/month

Use your full model queries wisely

On the Plus plan, you get only 10 full model (o3) queries per month. Reserve these for research that truly requires depth: competitive analysis, academic reviews, due diligence, and complex technical investigations. Use lightweight (o4-mini) queries for less critical research where a quick overview is sufficient.