Smarter Week

How to automate it

How to automate “research a topic, company or question online”

Here is the best way to spend less time on this, best first. Each comes with steps you can follow today and, for AI fixes, a prompt to copy.

30 min
typically, a few times a week
60%
of the time can be automated
Easy
to set up

Fix 1 of 1

AI

Use AI research mode and check the sources

Deep Research modes in ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Perplexity read dozens of pages and give you a cited summary.

Typically saves about 55% of the time5 min to set up
  1. 1Write the exact question and what you will use the answer for.
  2. 2Run it in a research mode (ChatGPT Deep Research, Claude Research, Gemini Deep Research or Perplexity).
  3. 3Open the two or three key sources it cites and confirm them.
  4. 4Save the summary where your team can find it.
Prompt to copy
Research [QUESTION]. I need this to [DECISION OR USE]. Give me a one-paragraph answer first, then the key facts as bullets with a source link for each, then what is uncertain or disputed.

Tools: ChatGPT Deep Research · Claude Research · Gemini Deep Research · Perplexity

Quick wins

Have you tried…

Have you used an AI "deep research" mode that reads dozens of sources for you?
Research modes in ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Perplexity spend a few minutes reading the web and return a summary with links to every source.

Who does this task

Roles in our library that list this as one of their common tasks. Each guide covers the rest of that role’s week.

Content / Social MediaPR / CommunicationsBusiness analystCFO / finance managerHR business partnerLearning & development specialistExecutive assistantCompliance managerSecurity analystProduct managerUX researcherData scientistConsultantEstimatorPurchasing / buyer

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Other common tasks for Content / Social Media teams