In short. Kimi decides when to search and supplies source links, while its guides describe differing search controls and limits on reading pages.

Definition: As of 17 October 2026, Kimi web search retrieves online information for answers in the Kimi assistant and supplies links to source pages. Kimi describes its Agentic Search as a system that decides when to search, which tools to use, and how to adjust its approach.

Key facts

Kimi's search feature guide describes a “Web-Connected Search” toggle below the chat input.
Kimi's new user guide says the assistant decides whether to search automatically, without requiring a manual toggle.
The Agentic Search guide says search-based answers include reference links that open the original pages.
The chat basics guide lists Web Search and Fetch Tool separately: searching the web and accessing a specified address are distinct tools.

How is search controlled?

The search feature guide says that enabling its toggle lets Kimi decide whether a question needs current information, then consult search engines and specialist databases. The alternate Agentic Search guide labels the setting “Auto/Off”. Enabling search therefore leaves the decision to retrieve information with the assistant.

The new user guide describes automatic selection without a required toggle. These instructions differ on the visible control; a manual switch should be described as a documented interface option rather than a universal requirement. Both guides describe Kimi deciding whether a question calls for online search.

How does Kimi handle sources?

Kimi's Agentic Search guide describes filtering sources by relevance, authority, and freshness. It lists government websites, academic journals, and official financial reporting channels among prioritized sources. It also describes authority badges for sources such as official websites and academic publications.

The same guide says reference links accompany search-based answers and let readers open the original page to verify accuracy and context. It names specialist sources including Academic Data and World Bank Data, which Kimi selects according to the request. These are documented source-handling features; checking a particular answer still involves reading its linked evidence.

Can Kimi read a specific webpage?

A URL is an internet resource address. Kimi's search feature guide says pasting one into a conversation lets Kimi fetch and analyze its content. Its example prompt is:

Summarize the key points of this article:
https://example.com/article

The guide recommends publicly accessible pages and public PDF documents. Password protection or crawling restrictions can prevent access. For dynamically loaded pages, the guide warns that only the initial page content may be available. The guide also says Kimi cannot read the contents of shared Kimi conversation links again.

FAQ

How can I check a source behind an answer?

Open the reference link and compare the original page with the answer's claim. Kimi's Agentic Search guide explicitly describes these links as a way to verify accuracy and context.

Can I ask about a particular article?

Yes. Paste its address with a request to summarize it, as shown in Kimi's search feature guide. Publicly accessible links are the guide's recommended starting point.

Do I have to enable search manually?

Kimi's new user guide says online search is selected automatically. The search feature guide also describes a toggle, so the instructions depend on which documented interface applies.

Sources

Check how a page reads to answer engines. Open the GEO score analyzer