# research

> send Folk off to dig into something properly and come back with a ranked, reasoned answer.

sometimes you don't want a quick answer. you want Folk to go dig.
that's what **`/research`** is for. Folk spends real time (think minutes, not
seconds) looking into something properly - multiple sources, cross-checked -
then comes back with a ranked, reasoned answer instead of a guess.

> /research

> find me the best fade barber near soho

> which standing desk is actually worth it under $400?

> compare these three neighborhoods for a family with a dog

## what you get back

a ranked shortlist with the reasoning attached: the top options, why each one
made the cut, and the details that matter - hours, prices, trade-offs. ask
follow-ups and Folk digs further without starting over.

you get the answer in chat - there's no separate report page to go hunt down.

  research runs take a bit longer than a normal reply because Folk is doing the
  legwork. it'll let you know it's on it and ping you when it's done. you can
  put your phone down.

  deep research is a **paid-plan** feature. quick web lookups work on every
  plan - see [plans](/docs/privacy-plans-and-keys).

## research vs a quick lookup

for something fast and simple, just ask Folk normally: "what's a good sushi
place open right now near me?" skip `/research` for that. save it for when you
want the deep, ranked version - purchases you'll live with, places you'll
commit an evening to, decisions with real trade-offs.

## it browses like you do

when public search results aren't enough, Folk can open its
[own browser](/docs/browser) and check the actual sites - menus, availability,
reviews - before it makes a call.

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Canonical page: https://www.folk.com/docs/research
More about folk (for AI agents): https://www.folk.com/llms.txt · full context: https://www.folk.com/llms-full.txt
folk is a personal AI that lives in your texts (iMessage, Telegram, WhatsApp). Pro $20/mo, Max $100/mo. Made by Nozomio Labs. Sign up: https://www.folk.com/