What is Web Search Skill
The Web Search Skill allows Copilot to find current information from the web to answer your questions. This means you can get up-to-date information on topics that change frequently, without leaving your conversation with Copilot.
When to use Web Search
The Web Search Skill is particularly helpful when you need:
Current news or recent events
Latest industry trends or developments
Up-to-date statistics or figures
Information about recent changes to regulations or policies
Current market data or prices
How it works
Simply ask your question naturally, and if Copilot needs current information to answer it well, it will automatically use the Web Search Skill (if Auto Skill Selection is enabled).
Examples of questions that work well:
"What are the latest changes to employment law?"
"What's the current guidance on data protection?"
"What are recent trends in our industry?"
"What's happening with interest rates right now?"
Copilot will search the web, find relevant current information, and provide you with an answer based on what it finds.
What to expect
High-level information
The Web Search Skill provides high-level searches rather than deep research. It's designed to give you current information quickly, rather than comprehensive analysis.
Quick answers
You'll get responses in seconds, making it easy to check current information without breaking your workflow.
Source awareness
Copilot draws on current web sources to answer your question, ensuring you're getting recent information rather than relying solely on older knowledge.
Getting the best results
Be clear about needing current information
If your question is time-sensitive, say so. Phrases like "current", "latest", or "recent" help Copilot understand you need up-to-date information.
Ask follow-up questions
If you need more detail on any part of the response, just ask. You can dig deeper into specific aspects whilst staying in the same conversation.
Combine with other skills
The Web Search Skill works alongside Copilot's other capabilities. You might use it to get current information, then ask Copilot to help you analyse or apply that information to your specific situation.
What this means for your work
The Web Search Skill means you can:
Stay current without leaving your workflow
Get quick answers to time-sensitive questions
Make decisions based on up-to-date information
Reduce the time spent searching multiple websites manually