n8n is a popular no-code workflow automation tool, but it does not include a native web search node. Adding search takes exactly one HTTP Request node and five minutes of configuration. This tutorial walks through the setup step by step, shows how to parse results, and includes three workflow templates: content research, competitor monitoring, and lead enrichment. Cost: $0.005 per search via Scavio.
Prerequisites
- n8n installed (self-hosted or n8n.cloud)
- A Scavio API key from scavio.dev
- Basic familiarity with n8n nodes
Walkthrough
Step 1: Add the HTTP Request node for search
Configure an HTTP Request node to call the Scavio search API. This is the only node you need for web search.
Python
# n8n HTTP Request Node Configuration:
#
# 1. Add an HTTP Request node to your workflow
# 2. Configure it:
# Method: POST
# URL: https://api.scavio.dev/api/v1/search
# Authentication: None
# Send Headers: ON
# Header 1: x-api-key = {{$env.SCAVIO_API_KEY}}
# Header 2: Content-Type = application/json
# Send Body: ON
# Body Content Type: JSON
# Body Parameters:
# query = {{$json.search_query}} (or hardcode a string)
# country_code = us
# num_results = 10
#
# 3. Test it by clicking 'Execute Node'
# Python equivalent for testing:
import requests, os
resp = requests.post('https://api.scavio.dev/api/v1/search',
headers={'x-api-key': os.environ['SCAVIO_API_KEY'],
'Content-Type': 'application/json'},
json={'query': 'n8n workflow automation 2026',
'country_code': 'us', 'num_results': 5})
results = resp.json().get('organic_results', [])
print(f'{len(results)} results returned')
for r in results:
print(f' {r["title"][:50]}')Step 2: Parse search results in n8n
Add a Set node or Function node after the HTTP Request to extract the fields you need from the search response.
Python
# n8n Function Node to parse results:
# (Place after the HTTP Request node)
#
# const results = $input.first().json.organic_results || [];
# return results.map(r => ({
# json: {
# title: r.title,
# url: r.link,
# snippet: r.snippet || '',
# domain: new URL(r.link).hostname
# }
# }));
# Python equivalent:
def parse_results(api_response: dict) -> list:
results = api_response.get('organic_results', [])
return [{
'title': r['title'],
'url': r['link'],
'snippet': r.get('snippet', ''),
'domain': r['link'].split('/')[2] if '/' in r['link'] else ''
} for r in results]
data = resp.json()
parsed = parse_results(data)
for r in parsed[:3]:
print(f'{r["title"]}: {r["domain"]}')Step 3: Three ready-to-use workflow templates
Connect the search node to different triggers and downstream nodes for common automation patterns.
Python
# Template 1: Content Research (Cron -> Search -> Google Sheets)
# Trigger: Schedule (daily at 9am)
# Search query: 'latest {your_topic} news 2026'
# Output: Append results to Google Sheets
# Template 2: Competitor Monitor (Cron -> Search -> Slack)
# Trigger: Schedule (every 6 hours)
# Search query: 'site:{competitor.com} new'
# Output: Send new pages to Slack channel
# Template 3: Lead Enrichment (Webhook -> Search -> CRM)
# Trigger: Webhook (receives company name)
# Search query: '{company_name} news funding 2026'
# Output: Update CRM record with enrichment data
import requests, os
SCAVIO_KEY = os.environ['SCAVIO_API_KEY']
def search(query):
resp = requests.post('https://api.scavio.dev/api/v1/search',
headers={'x-api-key': SCAVIO_KEY, 'Content-Type': 'application/json'},
json={'query': query, 'country_code': 'us', 'num_results': 5})
return resp.json().get('organic_results', [])
# Template 1: Daily content research
results = search('AI agent frameworks news 2026')
print(f'Content research: {len(results)} articles found')
# Template 2: Competitor monitoring
results = search('site:competitor.com new features')
print(f'Competitor updates: {len(results)} new pages')
# Template 3: Lead enrichment
results = search('Acme Corp funding news 2026')
print(f'Lead enrichment: {len(results)} results')
print(f'\nTotal cost: 3 searches = $0.015')
print(f'Monthly at 4x/day: $1.80')Python Example
Python
import requests, os
SCAVIO_KEY = os.environ['SCAVIO_API_KEY']
def search(query, count=5):
resp = requests.post('https://api.scavio.dev/api/v1/search',
headers={'x-api-key': SCAVIO_KEY, 'Content-Type': 'application/json'},
json={'query': query, 'country_code': 'us', 'num_results': count})
return [{'title': r['title'], 'url': r['link'], 'snippet': r.get('snippet', '')}
for r in resp.json().get('organic_results', [])]
# Same query your n8n HTTP Request node would make
results = search('n8n workflow automation 2026')
for r in results:
print(f'{r["title"]}: {r["url"]}')
print(f'Cost: $0.005')JavaScript Example
JavaScript
const SCAVIO_KEY = process.env.SCAVIO_API_KEY;
async function search(query, count = 5) {
const resp = await fetch('https://api.scavio.dev/api/v1/search', {
method: 'POST',
headers: { 'x-api-key': SCAVIO_KEY, 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
body: JSON.stringify({ query, country_code: 'us', num_results: count })
});
return (await resp.json()).organic_results?.map(r => ({
title: r.title, url: r.link, snippet: r.snippet || ''
})) || [];
}
// Same query your n8n node would make
search('n8n workflow automation 2026').then(r => r.forEach(x => console.log(x.title)));Expected Output
JSON
5 results returned
n8n Workflow Automation Platform - Getting Started
Best n8n Workflows for 2026 - Community Templates
How to Automate Anything with n8n
Content research: 5 articles found
Competitor updates: 3 new pages
Lead enrichment: 5 results
Total cost: 3 searches = $0.015
Monthly at 4x/day: $1.80