Artifact Search: Focus Options

Artifact's web search capabilities go far beyond basic internet searches. With powerful focus options, you can target specific types of content, platforms, and sources to get exactly the information you need. Whether you're researching companies, looking for academic papers, or searching for code repositories, Artifact's focus modes ensure you get the most relevant results.

This comprehensive guide explores each focus option available in Artifact's search system, showing you how to leverage these powerful tools for more effective and efficient information gathering.

Understanding Search Focus Options

Search focus options in Artifact allow you to narrow your queries to specific types of content or platforms. This targeted approach saves time and improves the quality of your search results by filtering out irrelevant information and prioritizing sources that match your specific needs.

Auto Focus: Intelligent Search Selection

The Auto focus option is Artifact's default and most versatile search mode. When you select Auto, Artifact's AI analyzes your query and automatically determines the most appropriate search strategy and sources.

**How Auto Focus Works:**

• **Query Analysis:** Artifact examines your search terms to understand intent and context • **Source Selection:** Automatically chooses the most relevant websites, databases, and platforms • **Result Optimization:** Balances breadth and depth to provide comprehensive yet focused results • **Real-time Adaptation:** Adjusts search strategy based on available information and query complexity

**Best Use Cases:** • General research questions • Multi-faceted topics requiring diverse sources • When you're unsure which specific focus would be most effective • Exploratory research where you want to discover unexpected connections

Company Focus: Business Intelligence Made Simple

Company focus specifically targets business-related information, corporate websites, industry reports, and professional databases. This focus mode is essential for business research, competitive analysis, and market intelligence.

**Company Focus Targets:**

• **Corporate Websites:** Official company pages, investor relations, and corporate blogs • **Financial Data:** SEC filings, earnings reports, and financial statements • **Industry Reports:** Market research, analyst reports, and industry publications • **Business News:** Corporate announcements, leadership changes, and strategic initiatives • **Professional Networks:** Company profiles on business platforms

**Ideal For:** • Due diligence research • Competitive analysis • Market research and sizing • Investment research • Partnership evaluation • Customer research

**Example Queries:** • "Tesla Q4 2024 financial performance" • "Shopify competitor analysis" • "Enterprise software market leaders" • "Microsoft Azure pricing strategy"

Research Focus: Academic and Scientific Sources

Research focus prioritizes academic papers, scientific journals, research institutions, and scholarly databases. This mode is perfect for academic research, literature reviews, and evidence-based investigations.

**Research Focus Sources:**

• **Academic Journals:** Peer-reviewed papers and research articles • **University Websites:** Research departments and faculty publications • **Research Institutions:** Think tanks, labs, and research organizations • **Scientific Databases:** ArXiv, PubMed, Google Scholar, and discipline-specific repositories • **Conference Proceedings:** Academic conference papers and presentations • **Government Research:** Federal agencies and research departments

**Perfect For:** • Literature reviews • Academic research projects • Scientific fact-checking • Evidence-based decision making • Technology trend analysis • Policy research

**Example Queries:** • "Machine learning bias in healthcare applications" • "Climate change impact on agriculture 2024" • "Quantum computing breakthrough research" • "Psychological effects of remote work"

News Focus: Current Events and Journalism

News focus targets current events, breaking news, and journalistic sources. This mode ensures you get the latest information from reputable news organizations and media outlets.

**News Focus Coverage:**

• **Major News Outlets:** CNN, BBC, Reuters, Associated Press, and other established media • **Industry Publications:** TechCrunch, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and sector-specific news • **Local News:** Regional newspapers and local media coverage • **International Sources:** Global news organizations and foreign press • **Real-time Updates:** Breaking news and live coverage • **Opinion Pieces:** Editorials and expert commentary

**Excellent For:** • Breaking news research • Current events analysis • Media monitoring • Timeline construction • Public opinion tracking • Crisis communication research

**Example Queries:** • "AI regulation latest developments" • "Cryptocurrency market news today" • "Climate summit 2024 outcomes" • "Tech layoffs recent trends"

PDF Focus: Document-Specific Search

PDF focus specifically searches for PDF documents across the web, including reports, whitepapers, manuals, academic papers, and official documents. This is invaluable when you need comprehensive, detailed information typically found in formal documents.

**PDF Focus Finds:**

• **Technical Documentation:** User manuals, API documentation, and technical specifications • **Research Reports:** Market research, government reports, and analytical studies • **Whitepapers:** Company whitepapers and technical deep-dives • **Academic Papers:** Journal articles and research publications • **Legal Documents:** Contracts, policies, and regulatory documents • **Financial Reports:** Annual reports, prospectuses, and financial statements

**Ideal For:** • Technical documentation research • Comprehensive report analysis • Legal and compliance research • Academic literature searches • Product specification research • Government document searches

**Example Queries:** • "OpenAI GPT-4 technical documentation" • "Federal Reserve 2024 economic outlook report" • "Docker container security best practices" • "GDPR compliance guidelines PDF"

GitHub Focus: Code and Development Resources

GitHub focus targets code repositories, developer documentation, and open-source projects. This mode is essential for developers looking for code examples, libraries, or technical solutions.

**GitHub Focus Coverage:**

• **Code Repositories:** Public and documented private repositories • **README Files:** Project documentation and setup instructions • **Issue Discussions:** Bug reports, feature requests, and community discussions • **Code Examples:** Sample implementations and tutorials • **Release Notes:** Version updates and changelog information • **Developer Profiles:** Contributor information and project histories

**Perfect For:** • Finding code libraries and frameworks • Learning implementation patterns • Troubleshooting development issues • Discovering open-source alternatives • Reviewing project documentation • Finding code examples and tutorials

**Example Queries:** • "React authentication library with TypeScript" • "Python web scraping frameworks comparison" • "Kubernetes deployment examples" • "Machine learning model deployment patterns"

Personal Sites Focus: Individual Expertise and Blogs

Personal Sites focus targets individual blogs, personal websites, and independent content creators. This mode is excellent for finding unique perspectives, detailed tutorials, and expert insights that might not be available through mainstream sources.

**Personal Sites Include:**

• **Expert Blogs:** Industry professionals sharing insights and experiences • **Technical Tutorials:** Detailed how-to guides and learning resources • **Personal Projects:** Individual portfolios and project showcases • **Independent Analysis:** Unique perspectives and specialized knowledge • **Community Forums:** Discussion boards and community-driven content • **Niche Websites:** Specialized sites covering specific topics or industries

**Great For:** • Finding unique perspectives and insights • Accessing detailed tutorials and guides • Discovering niche expertise • Learning from practitioner experiences • Finding alternative viewpoints • Accessing specialized knowledge

**Example Queries:** • "Personal experiences with React vs Vue" • "Individual developer insights on remote work" • "Personal finance strategies from practitioners" • "Independent analysis of AI trends"

LinkedIn Focus: Professional Networks and Insights

LinkedIn focus targets professional profiles, company pages, industry discussions, and professional content shared on the LinkedIn platform. This mode is invaluable for professional research, networking, and understanding industry trends.

**LinkedIn Focus Finds:**

• **Professional Profiles:** Individual career backgrounds and expertise • **Company Pages:** Corporate updates and company culture insights • **Industry Articles:** Professional thought leadership and analysis • **Job Market Trends:** Hiring patterns and skill demands • **Professional Discussions:** Industry conversations and networking content • **Career Insights:** Professional development and industry advice

**Excellent For:** • Professional background research • Industry trend analysis • Networking and connection research • Company culture research • Job market analysis • Professional development insights

**Example Queries:** • "Data science career paths and trends" • "Remote work impact on tech industry" • "Startup founder backgrounds in fintech" • "AI ethics discussions among professionals"

Choosing the Right Focus Option

Selecting the appropriate focus option depends on your specific research goals and the type of information you need. Here's a quick decision guide:

Decision Framework

**Use Auto when:** • You're unsure which focus would be most effective • Your query spans multiple domains • You want comprehensive, balanced results • You're doing exploratory research

**Use Company when:** • Researching businesses or market intelligence • Conducting competitive analysis • Looking for financial or corporate information • Evaluating potential partners or customers

**Use Research when:** • Conducting academic or scientific research • Need peer-reviewed or authoritative sources • Looking for evidence-based information • Doing literature reviews or fact-checking

**Use News when:** • Tracking current events or breaking news • Monitoring media coverage • Understanding public discourse • Researching recent developments

**Use PDF when:** • Need detailed, comprehensive documents • Looking for technical documentation • Researching reports or whitepapers • Accessing formal publications

**Use GitHub when:** • Looking for code examples or libraries • Researching technical implementations • Finding open-source solutions • Learning from developer communities

**Use Personal Sites when:** • Seeking unique perspectives or insights • Looking for detailed tutorials • Accessing niche expertise • Finding alternative viewpoints

**Use LinkedIn when:** • Researching professional backgrounds • Understanding industry trends • Analyzing career paths • Studying company cultures

Advanced Search Strategies

To maximize the effectiveness of Artifact's focus options, consider these advanced strategies:

Sequential Searching

Start with Auto focus to get a broad understanding, then use specific focus options to dive deeper into particular aspects of your research topic. This approach ensures comprehensive coverage while allowing for detailed exploration.

Cross-Reference Validation

Use multiple focus options to cross-reference information. For example, combine Research focus for academic sources with News focus for current developments, then use Company focus for business implications.

Iterative Refinement

Based on initial results, refine your queries and switch focus options as needed. The insights from one focus mode often reveal new angles or keywords that can improve searches in other modes.

Best Practices for Focus Options

**Query Optimization:** • Be specific with your search terms when using focused modes • Include relevant keywords for each focus type • Consider synonyms and alternative terminology • Use quotation marks for exact phrases when needed

**Time Sensitivity:** • Use News focus for time-sensitive information • Consider date ranges when researching evolving topics • Check multiple focus options for historical perspective • Verify currency of information across different sources

**Source Diversity:** • Don't rely on a single focus option for important decisions • Consider potential biases in different source types • Look for consensus across multiple focus areas • Balance mainstream and alternative perspectives

Conclusion: Mastering Targeted Search

Artifact's focus options transform web searching from a broad, unfocused activity into a precise, targeted research tool. By understanding when and how to use each focus mode, you can dramatically improve the quality and relevance of your search results.

Whether you're conducting business research, academic investigation, staying current with news, finding technical solutions, or exploring professional networks, these focus options ensure you're searching in the right places with the right approach.

Start experimenting with different focus options for your regular searches, and you'll quickly discover how much more efficient and effective your research can become. The key is matching your research intent with the appropriate focus mode—and Artifact makes that process intuitive and powerful.