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Web Search API (developers.cloudflare.com)

593 points by tosh · 5 days ago · 284 comments on HN

Article summary

Cloudflare has introduced a Web Search API in beta, allowing AI agents and applications to search the internet and retrieve live information. The API supports three search providers and runs through Cloudflare's AI Gateway, with billing and logging integrated into the gateway. Users can call the API using a REST API or from a Worker with the AI binding. The API is designed to provide a convenient and scalable way to search the internet, with features such as Zero Data Retention and verified bot crawling standards.

Main themes

  • Cloudflare Web Search API
  • Data privacy and security
  • Convenience and integration
  • Trust and lock-in
  • Business practices and billing
  • Innovation and competition

What commenters say

  • Some commenters question the need for Cloudflare to be in the middle of everything, suggesting that users could directly use the search providers instead.
  • Others argue that Cloudflare's integration and billing features make it a convenient choice, and that trust in the company is not a major concern.
  • There are concerns about Cloudflare's potential to collect and share user data with the NSA, with some arguing that this is a significant risk and others downplaying its importance.
  • The decision to use Cloudflare's Web Search API is seen as a trade-off between convenience and potential risks, with some commenters prioritizing ease of use and others prioritizing data privacy and security.
  • Some commenters have had negative experiences with Cloudflare's billing and business practices, which has led to distrust of the company.
  • Others see Cloudflare as a trusted provider that can help reduce friction between parties and make optimizations that are only possible by being in the middle of the connection.
  • The use of Cloudflare's Web Search API is also seen as a potential lock-in to the company's platform, which could stifle innovation and limit the use of better technology options.
  • There are differing opinions on the importance of trust in a cloud provider, with some seeing it as essential and others as less relevant.