Beyond Google: The Rise of Research Agents

Searching in 2026 isn’t about blue links; it’s about synthesis. Research agents read dozens of sources, cross-reference facts, and write a report for you.

1. Perplexity Pro (The Standard)

The replacement for Google Search.

Perplexity has matured into the default information engine for millions.

• Reasoning Mode: Slower, deliberate searches that verify conflicting information.
• Sources: Every claim is cited. Excellent for academic or market research.
• Features: “Pages” allows you to turn a search thread into a publishable article instantly.

2. OpenAI Deep Research

The heavy lifter.