How to Do Deep Research for Free Using AI

Solid research used to take hours of my time. I’d hop between websites, read through endless articles, and try to piece together the information I needed. It was time-consuming and often frustrating. But AI has changed the game completely.

Today’s AI tools can search through vast amounts of information and put together comprehensive reports in minutes. This capability—often called “deep research”—is one of the most useful features of modern AI systems.

The catch? Most companies keep these powerful research features behind paywalls. But there are ways to access these tools without spending a dime. In this post, I’ll show you how.

What Is AI Deep Research?

AI deep research is when an AI tool actively searches through multiple online sources to gather information on a topic you specify.

Unlike a regular chat with an AI where it only uses its training data, deep research mode allows the AI to browse the internet, analyze multiple websites, and compile a comprehensive report.

This process mimics how a human researcher would gather information but does it much faster. The AI can visit dozens of websites in seconds, extract relevant information, and organize it into a coherent report.

The Paywall Problem

Many leading AI companies offer deep research features, but they typically reserve them for paying customers:

• ChatGPT’s Deep Research requires a ChatGPT Plus subscription ($20/month)
• Claude’s Advanced Data Analysis needs a Claude Pro subscription ($20/month)
• Perplexity AI limits free users to a few searches per day

This makes sense from a business perspective. Deep research is resource-intensive—it requires more computing power and internet bandwidth than standard AI interactions.

Free Deep Research with Google Gemini

The good news is that Google has made deep research accessible to free users. Gemini allows you to perform 5 free deep research queries per month without any subscription.

Here’s how to use it:

• Go to gemini.google.com
• Click on the dropdown menu in the top-left corner
• Select “Deep research”

• Enter your research topic in the prompt field
• Submit your query

A Real Example

Let me walk you through a real example. Say I want to research how to make money using AI-generated content.

I went to Gemini and entered this prompt: Do a deep research on how to make money using AI generated content and come up with 51 ways to make money.

Step 1: Gemini Creates a Research Plan

After submitting my query, Gemini quickly generated a research plan:

Do a Deep Research on how to make money using AI generated content and come up with 51 ways to make money.
(1) Research different types of AI content generation tools, including those for text, images, audio, and video.
(2) Explore online marketplaces and platforms where AI-generated content can be sold, such as stock photo sites, freelance platforms, and content mills.
(3) Investigate how AI can be used to generate blog posts and articles for niche websites and explore monetization strategies like advertising, affiliate marketing, and selling digital products.
(4) Analyze the use of AI in creating social media content and identify opportunities for managing social media accounts for businesses or individuals.
(5) Research how AI can assist in writing and publishing ebooks or online courses, focusing on generating content outlines, drafts, and supplementary materials.
(6) Explore the potential of AI in creating marketing materials like ad copy, email campaigns, and website content, and how these services can be offered to businesses.
(7) Investigate the use of AI for generating product descriptions and reviews for e-commerce platforms and how this can be offered as a service to online sellers.
(8) Research how AI can be used to create scripts for videos and podcasts and explore opportunities in content creation for platforms like YouTube and Spotify.
(9) Analyze the application of AI in generating music and sound effects and explore platforms for selling royalty-free audio content.
(10) Investigate the use of AI in creating stock photos, illustrations, and design templates and explore platforms for selling these digital assets.
(11) Research how AI can be used to generate personalized content, such as personalized emails, product recommendations, and tailored marketing messages.
(12) Explore the development and sale of AI-powered content creation tools or software for specific niches.
(13) Investigate the use of AI in generating content for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) applications.
(14) Research how AI can assist in creating presentations and slide decks for businesses and educators.

At this point, I had the option to edit the plan if I wanted to focus on specific areas or add new research directions. The plan looked good to me, so I clicked “Start research.”

Step 2: Gemini Conducts the Research

Gemini then spent a few minutes gathering information from various websites. During this time, I could see its thinking process and research steps, but I didn’t need to watch—I left the chat and came back later when the report was ready.

Step 3: Get the Results

When I returned, Gemini had compiled a comprehensive report with 51 ways to make money using AI-generated content, organized by categories and with explanations for each method.

The final step was to save my research. Gemini provides a handy “Export to Docs” option, which I used to save the entire report for future reference.

Practical Applications of AI Deep Research

Free deep research tools can help with many projects:

Academic Research

Students can use these tools to find scholarly articles, understand complex topics, and get summaries of research papers. While AI research shouldn’t replace reading original sources, it’s great for getting started and finding relevant materials.

Market Analysis

Entrepreneurs and small business owners can research market trends, competitor analysis, and consumer preferences without paying for expensive market research reports.

Health Information

If you need to understand a medical condition or treatment option, AI research can gather information from reputable health websites. (Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, though.)

Travel Planning

Planning a trip? AI research can help you find information about destinations, local customs, transportation options, and hidden gems that might not appear in standard travel guides.

Product Reviews

Before making a purchase, use AI research to gather information about products, compare features, and find honest reviews from multiple sources.

Learn New Skills

Whether you want to learn programming, cooking, or photography, AI research can create personalized learning plans and gather resources from around the web.

Limitations of Free AI Research

While free research tools are useful, they do have limitations:

• Limited Queries: Gemini only offers 5 free deep research queries per month
• Potential Bias: AI might prioritize certain sources over others
• Information Cutoff: The AI might not have access to very recent information
• Lack of Critical Analysis: AI can gather information but may not evaluate the quality of sources as well as a human would

AI deep research tools have made thorough research faster and more accessible than ever before. While most companies charge for these features, Google Gemini offers a free option that’s perfect for occasional research needs.

By learning how to use these tools effectively, you can save time and get better information for your projects, decisions, and learning goals. Just remember to use your free queries wisely and always verify important information with multiple sources.

The research process that once took hours can now be done in minutes—and you don’t need to pay a monthly subscription to benefit from it. That’s the power of AI research tools today.