Objective: Ensure end users have explicit visibility into whether web search was used to generate World Knowledge responses, and provide clear, actionable details about any web search activity performed.
Requirements:
- Explicit Disclosure of Web Search Usage
- The UI must clearly indicate to users whether or not a web search was performed as part of generating their World Knowledge response.
- If no web search was used, this should be unambiguous to the user.
- Visibility of Search Details (When Applicable)
- If a web search contributed to the answer:
- The UI should specify which web search service(s) (e.g., Brave Search, OpenAI Web Search) were utilized.
- The precise search queries conducted should be disclosed.
- All URLs visited or referenced in generating the answer must be listed.
- Suggested UI Implementation
- Visual indicators (such as a badge or icon) in response headers for answers that include web search.
- An expandable “Details” section linked to such indicators, presenting:
- Search service(s) used
- Search queries executed
- URLs or citations leveraged
- For responses with no web search involvement, a concise message such as: “No web search was conducted in producing this response.”
Benefits:
- Purpose and Rationale
- Currently, if a web search is conducted, you can get a thinking message as vague as "Searching for answers from the web"
- Increased transparency will allow users to understand the source and reliability of information presented.
- By making web search activity visible, users can:
- Independently verify information by visiting the linked sources.
- Assess whether they need to seek more recent or authoritative data, especially if web search was not involved.
- This aligns with standard best practices in information governance and user empowerment.
- Drives increased user trust in World Knowledge answers by demystifying AI/human input.
- Reduces risk of misinterpretation or overreliance by providing users access to origins for validation.
- Aligns with demand for transparency in automated support, especially now that web search is standard in most customers’ logic chains.
Conclusion:
This feature would significantly enhance user decision-making, risk management, and satisfaction with Glean. Immediate implementation is recommended to maintain industry-leading transparency and compliance standards.
