Yes, Gemini can search the web: the Gemini app grounds some of its responses in Google Search results and can link to the pages it used.
As of November 15, 2026, according to Google’s official documentation:
- Gemini app: the Gemini Apps Privacy Hub states that some Gemini responses are grounded on Search results. Gemini decides when to use them; Google’s help pages do not describe a separate web search switch for ordinary chats.
- Sources: when sources are available, a Sources button appears below the response or in line. It opens a side panel of links, which can include public websites. Not every response has sources.
- Deep Research: Google Search is included as a source by default, and you can deselect it under Sources. You must be 18 or over and signed in.
- Developers: the Gemini API offers Grounding with Google Search through the
google_searchtool, which connects the model to real-time web content and returns citations.
Related: Gemini app new features guide, Can Gemini read PDFs? and Can ChatGPT search the web?
Source: Gemini Apps Privacy Hub, Gemini Apps Help, View related sources, Gemini Apps Help, Use Deep Research and Gemini API Docs, Grounding with Google Search
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