# Build a citation-ready web research pack with SearchCans: n8n workflow

> Started by someone submitting a form. It calls services over plain HTTP rather than through connectors.

Source: https://millionrounds.com/workflow/build-a-citation-ready-web-research-pack-with-searchcans (Millionrounds; every figure on the page links to its filing or article)

[Automation library](https://millionrounds.com/workflows) · [Research and reporting](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?category=Research+and+reporting#library)

# Build a citation-ready web research pack with SearchCans

Started by someone submitting a form. It calls services over plain HTTP rather than through connectors. 16 steps, 1 branch, 1 loop or waits: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Medium

[Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fbuild-a-citation-ready-web-research-pack-with-searchcans)

**16 steps** Medium: a working afternoon

**1** Branch: places the flow splits

**1** Loop or waits

**0** Services by connector: it calls them over plain HTTP

## The flow

Starts it 1 Logic 10 Service 5

The steps in the order they run, from what starts it.

- 1 **Submit research request** Form trigger *Starts it*
- 2 **Set research config** Set *Logic*
- 3 **Search Google** Http Request *Service*
- 4 **Search Bing** Http Request *Service*
- 5 **Normalize Google results** Code *Logic*
- 6 **Normalize Bing results** Code *Logic*
- 7 **Merge search engines** Merge *Logic*
- 8 **Rank and diversify sources** Code *Logic*
- 9 **Loop Over Sources** Split In Batches *Logic*
- 10 **Build evidence pack and review queue** Code *Logic*
- 11 **Read source in standard mode** Http Request *Service*
- 12 **Create Markdown evidence pack** Convert To File *Service*
- 13 **Standard extraction worked?** If *Logic*
- 14 **Keep standard extraction** Code *Logic*
- 15 **Retry with browser rendering** Http Request *Service*
- 16 **Keep fallback result** Code *Logic*

## How it's built

- **Starts on:** Someone submitting a form
- **Steps:** 16, with 1 branch, 1 loop or waits
- **Size:** Medium: a working afternoon
- **Connects to:** Nothing by connector; it calls services over plain HTTP
- **Model:** None. This is plumbing, not judgement

## Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account. You connect your own accounts after importing it; none are included.

What starts it?

It starts on someone submitting a form.

Does it use AI?

No. Every step is fixed logic or a call to a service, so it does the same thing every time.

How long does it take to set up?

Plan an afternoon. 16 steps is enough that you should read each one before running it.

How do I import it?

Copy the workflow, open a new workflow in n8n and paste. The steps appear on the canvas, ready for your own accounts.

**Before you run it**

Nothing here has been tested by us. It is somebody's working automation, read and described from its own steps. Treat the connections it wants as a list of accounts it will touch, and read the 16 steps before you point it at anything that matters.

## Run it in n8n

- **Create your n8n account** Free to start. n8n is where the workflow runs. [Create an n8n account ↗](https://millionrounds.com/n8n)
- **Download the workflow** Free with a Millionrounds account. [Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fbuild-a-citation-ready-web-research-pack-with-searchcans)
- **Paste it into n8n** Open a new workflow in n8n and paste. Then connect your own accounts.

Stored with the author's traces removed: canvas notes, instance identifiers, saved credential names and any live document they had left behind.

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