--- canonical: https://amplience.com/developers/docs/workforce/flows/examples/research-agent/ title: Using the Research Agent description: Learn how to build a Workforce Flow that uses the research agent to search the web for information about a product and uses this to generate a GEO optimized buying guide audience: Business User image: https://cdn.media.amplience.net/i/ampproduct/ve-flows-agent2-lm?w=1200&h=630 image_width: 1200 image_height: 630 date_published: 2026-02-26 date_modified: 2026-06-25 --- # Using the Research Agent to generate a buying guide Learn how to build a [Workforce Flow](https://amplience.com/developers/docs/workforce/flows/about-flows/) that: - Uses the **Research Agent** to search the web for information about a product, based on its name or URL and image - Uses the data returned by the agent to generate a GEO optimized buying guide and FAQ This is a very simple flow, but demonstrates how you can use the Research Agent to retrieve information from the web, in this case product data. The Research Agent is very flexible and this flow can be expanded to meet your requirements. ![Research agent flow overview](https://cdn.media.amplience.net/i/ampproduct/ve-flows-agent2-lm?w=1880&fmt=png&) > **Info:** To build Flows you will need the Admin role on the hub. See [Workforce permissions](https://amplience.com/developers/docs/concepts/permissions/roles/#roles-and-workforce). ## Step 1- Create the form trigger Create a new flow and give it a label and description. - From the **Action Library** open the **Manual triggers** and drag a **Form Trigger** to your flow. Once added, configure the trigger. You use the form to enter the information to search for. ![Adding the flow trigger](https://cdn.media.amplience.net/i/ampproduct/flow-example-research-agent-v2-1?w=1880&fmt=png 'Adding the flow trigger') - Click the **Configure Input Form** button and add the following single line text fields: - The subject of the buying guide: **Subject** - The product name to search for, or the product URL: **Product name or URL** - Add an image field to be used for the optional product image: **Product image** ![Configuring the form](https://cdn.media.amplience.net/i/ampproduct/flow-example-research-agent-v2-2?w=1880&fmt=png 'Configuring the form') ## Step 2- Add the Research Agent to search the web You'll use the Research Agent to search the web for information about the product you specify. - Open the **Agents** section of the **Action Library**, and drag the **Research Agent** to the flow. Connect it to the output of the **Form Trigger** and configure it. ![Adding the research agent](https://cdn.media.amplience.net/i/ampproduct/flow-example-research-agent-v2-3?w=1880&fmt=png 'Adding the research agent') - Choose a **Model**. - Add the **Goal**. For this example, we'll keep the instructions simple: `Find information about the product mentioned`. The Research Agent requires some text and an image to analyze: - In the **Text to Analyze** field select the `Product name or URL` returned by the **Form trigger**. - The **Image to Analyze** should be the `Product image` returned by the **Form trigger**. ![Configuring the Research Agent with product information to search for](https://cdn.media.amplience.net/i/ampproduct/flow-example-research-agent-v2-4?w=1880&fmt=png 'Configuring the Research Agent with product information to search for') ## Step 3- Generate the buying guide For this example, we'll use the **Buying Guide** action to generate a GEO optimized buying guide using the information returned by the **Research Agent**. To generate the guide with our chosen format and structure, we'll add some custom instructions. But you could also use a custom template instead. - Open the **Content Generation** section in the **Action Library** and drag the **Buying Guide** action to the flow. Connect it to the [output](https://amplience.com/developers/docs/workforce/flows/action-reference/#inputs-outputs-and-ports) of the Research Agent- this will be the data returned from its search. - Choose which model to use and optionally the brand voice, audience, tone and locale (by default the content will be generated in English). - Set the **Subject** to the `Subject` returned by the Form Trigger. - Add a featured product and set the **Product name** value to the `Product name or URL` returned by the Form Trigger. - Set the **Product description** to the `Research Results` returned by the Research Agent. This will be the product information it found in its search. - Set the **Product image** to the `Product image` returned by the Form Trigger. ![Configuring the buying guide](https://cdn.media.amplience.net/i/ampproduct/flow-example-research-agent-v2-7?w=1880&fmt=png 'Configuring the buying guide') We'll add some Custom instructions to generate the buying guide with the format we want. - Add the following text in the **Custom instructions** field. You can change these instructions to meet your specific requirements: ``` At the end of the buying guide include 10-15 product FAQs that: Mirror real search behavior Cover pre-purchase, comparison, usage, and post-purchase concerns Use natural, conversational language Target long-tail and voice-style queries Improve SEO and conversions Search Intent Coverage Include questions across four intent types: 1. Informational – Understanding the product How does this work? Is this good for beginners? 2. Commercial Investigation – Comparing options Is this worth it? What's the difference between this and [alternative]? 3. Transactional Doubts – Reassurance before buying What size should I get? Does this come with a warranty? 4. Post-Purchase – Setup and maintenance How do I set this up? How do I clean it? Writing Style Write full, natural search-style questions Be specific and scenario-based Include skeptical and risk-focused queries Avoid vague topic labels (e.g., don't write "Battery Life") Instead of: Battery Life Write: How long does the battery last on a single charge? Required Coverage Across the FAQs, include: Product basics (what it is, who it's for, problem solved) Specs (dimensions, materials, compatibility, limits) Comparisons (alternatives, previous versions) Fit/sizing (if relevant) Usage and setup Edge cases (travel, outdoor, waterproof, pets, etc.) Trust factors (returns, warranty, safety) Answer Guidelines Each answer must: Directly answer in the first sentence Include specific details (numbers, materials, limits, timeframes) Be honest about limitations Avoid marketing fluff Be 60–150 words Maintain Grade 6–8 readability Avoid exaggerated claims or invented specs. Include the full product name naturally in 3–5 answers. Final Check Before finishing, ask: Would a real person type this into Google? Does this sound like marketing copy? Is it specific and realistic? ``` ![Adding the custom instructions](https://cdn.media.amplience.net/i/ampproduct/flow-example-research-agent-v2-5?w=1880&fmt=png 'Adding the custom instructions') > **Info:** You can run the flow in Test mode straight away, but it needs to be enabled before you or anyone else can run it for general use. Learn more about [Enabling Flows](https://amplience.com/developers/docs/workforce/flows/review/#enabling-flows-to-be-run). ## Try it out Save the flow. Once it's [enabled](https://amplience.com/developers/docs/workforce/flows/review/#enabling-flows-to-be-run), it's ready to run. - Click **Run** at the top of the window. - Enter a **Subject** for the buying guide and either a Product name or URL\*\*. You can also upload an image to be used to help generate the content. In this example we're getting information from a URL and creating a buying guide for a grey coat. - Click the **Start run** button. ![Run the flow](https://cdn.media.amplience.net/i/ampproduct/flow-research-agent-v2-1?w=1880&fmt=png 'Run the flow') - The Research Agent starts running and retrieves information on the product using the information you provided. ![Run the flow](https://cdn.media.amplience.net/i/ampproduct/flow-research-agent-v2-2?w=1880&fmt=png 'Run the flow') You can expand the card to show the information returned by the LLM. ![Run the flow](https://cdn.media.amplience.net/i/ampproduct/flow-research-agent-3?w=1880&fmt=png 'Run the flow') The buying guide and list of FAQs is generated from the information returned by the Research Agent. ![Run the flow](https://cdn.media.amplience.net/i/ampproduct/flow-research-agent-4?w=1880&fmt=png 'Run the flow')