This Route is for people who don’t need “more links.” They need an answer they can trust.
Googling often fails because:
- you open 15 tabs and still don’t know what matters
- SEO pages bury the point
- sources conflict and you don’t know which is credible
- you waste time reading instead of deciding
This guide helps you research with a simple discipline: scope → source quality → extraction → synthesis.
1) When this Route is the right move
Use this Route when:
- You need to understand a topic quickly and explain it clearly.
- You’re making a decision (product, pricing, policy, tool choice).
- You need citations or source-based confidence.
- You want to avoid random blog opinions.
2) When NOT to use this Route
Skip this Route if:
- You need only one official fact (go straight to the official doc/site).
- You need real-time info (prices, breaking news). You must use up-to-date sources.
- The question is legal/medical/financial advice. You need professional review.
3) The core rule: define the question like a spec
Bad question: “Tell me about X.”
Good question: “What are the top 3 options for X, how do they compare on cost/limitations, and what should a beginner choose?”
Write:
- goal (what decision you’re making)
- constraints (budget, region, platform, timeframe)
- output format (table, bullets, step-by-step)
If you don’t define this, research becomes endless.
4) Source quality ladder (don’t treat all links equally)
Prefer:
- official docs / vendor pages
- reputable journalism / established publications
- academic / standards bodies
- independent experts with clear evidence
- random affiliate blogs (last resort)
If a claim has no clear source, treat it as untrusted.
5) Extraction beats reading
Don’t read everything. Extract what matters:
- definitions
- key numbers
- constraints and edge cases
- “what can go wrong”
- direct quotes (short, cited)
A good research note is not long. It’s sharp.
6) Synthesis rule: 3 bullets + one decision
Your final output should include:
- 3 key points (what matters)
- 3 risks/limitations (what to watch)
- 1 recommendation (what you’d do)
If you can’t recommend, you haven’t finished research—you’re still collecting.
7) Common failure patterns (avoid these)
- “One-source answer” → you didn’t cross-check.
- “No constraints” → you’ll get generic advice.
- “Too many tools” → pick top 3 and justify.
- “No citations” → confidence collapses.
8) Trust note
Use official tool websites only.
Cross-check important claims with multiple credible sources.
If a topic changes quickly, confirm the publish date of sources.