---
title: Baidu Search (Deprecated)
description: The Baidu Search connector is deprecated; public web search now runs through Google Search
---

# Baidu Search Integration Setup Guide

<Callout type="warn" title="Deprecated">
The Baidu Search connector is **deprecated** and can no longer be connected (the backend refuses new connections with HTTP 410). Public web search in SurfSense now runs through the built-in **Google Search** specialist — see [Web Search](/docs/how-to/web-search). Existing Baidu connector rows remain manageable, and you can add an alternative provider through a Custom MCP connector. The guide below is retained for reference only.
</Callout>

This guide walks you through connecting Baidu AI Search to SurfSense for Chinese web search and AI-powered research.

## How it works

The Baidu Search connector uses Baidu AI Search through Qianfan AppBuilder's intelligent search generation API. It is a live search connector: SurfSense queries Baidu when the assistant needs current web results instead of periodically indexing content into your knowledge base.

- Baidu Search is best for Simplified Chinese queries and China-focused web content.
- Results are merged with SurfSense's other configured web search engines.
- The connector returns Baidu references as sources that can be cited in chat responses.

---

## Authorization

<Callout type="info" title="API Key Required">
You need a Baidu Qianfan AppBuilder API key to use this connector. The key is encrypted and stored securely by SurfSense.
</Callout>

### Step 1: Get Your Baidu AI Search API Key

1. Open the [Baidu AI Search product page](https://cloud.baidu.com/product/ai-search.html) and sign in with your Baidu Cloud account.
2. Open Qianfan AppBuilder or the AI Search console from Baidu Cloud.
3. Create or select an application that has access to Baidu AI Search.
4. Generate an API key for the application.
5. Copy the API key. SurfSense uses it as the `BAIDU_API_KEY` connector setting.

<Callout type="warn">
Keep this key private. Do not paste it into chat messages, issue reports, screenshots, or public repositories.
</Callout>

---

## Connecting to SurfSense

1. Navigate to **Connectors** → **Add Connector** → **Baidu Search**.
2. Fill in the required fields:

| Field | Description | Example |
|-------|-------------|---------|
| **Connector Name** | A friendly name to identify this connector | `Baidu Search` |
| **Baidu AppBuilder API Key** | Your Qianfan AppBuilder API key | `bce-v3/...` |

3. Click **Connect** to save the connector.
4. Ask a current Chinese web query in chat, such as `今天中国人工智能行业有什么重要新闻？`.

### Optional Advanced Settings

SurfSense stores advanced Baidu options in the connector config. If your deployment exposes these fields, use the following values:

| Setting | Description | Default |
|---------|-------------|---------|
| `BAIDU_MODEL` | The model Baidu AI Search uses for answer generation | `ernie-3.5-8k` |
| `BAIDU_SEARCH_SOURCE` | Baidu search source version | `baidu_search_v2` |
| `BAIDU_ENABLE_DEEP_SEARCH` | Enables Baidu's deeper search mode when supported by your account | `false` |

SurfSense calls Baidu's intelligent search generation endpoint:

```text
POST https://qianfan.baidubce.com/v2/ai_search/chat/completions
```

For request and response details, see Baidu's [intelligent search generation API documentation](https://cloud.baidu.com/doc/qianfan/s/Omh4su4s0).

---

## When to Use Baidu Search

| Use Case | Why Baidu Search Helps |
|----------|------------------------|
| Chinese news and current events | Better coverage for China-focused sources |
| Chinese company, product, or policy research | More local web results than global search engines alone |
| Mandarin-language fact finding | Native Chinese search and summarization behavior |
| Cross-checking web search | Adds another source alongside SearXNG, Tavily, or Linkup |

<Callout type="info" title="Live Search Connector">
Baidu Search does not create indexed documents in your knowledge base. It runs when the assistant calls web search, then returns live sources for that answer.
</Callout>

---

## Troubleshooting

**No Baidu results appear**

- Confirm the Baidu Search connector is active in the current workspace.
- Try a Chinese query with clear search intent, for example `百度智能云千帆 AppBuilder 最新功能`.
- Check whether other web search engines are returning results. If none are, review the general [Web Search](/docs/how-to/web-search) setup.

**Authentication failed**

- Verify that the API key was copied from Qianfan AppBuilder, not another Baidu Cloud product.
- Regenerate the API key if it was rotated, expired, or copied with extra whitespace.
- Make sure the related application has access to Baidu AI Search.

**Requests time out**

- Baidu AI Search can take longer than ordinary keyword search because it performs search and summarization.
- Retry with a narrower query.
- If you self-host SurfSense, verify that the backend container can reach `qianfan.baidubce.com`.

**Results are not relevant**

- Use Chinese keywords for China-focused topics.
- Include entity names, dates, or locations in the query.
- Compare with SearXNG or another configured live search connector for broader coverage.

---

## Verification Checklist

- The Baidu Search connector appears in your connector list.
- A Chinese current-events query triggers web search in chat.
- Chat responses include Baidu-backed sources with titles and URLs.
- Invalid API keys fail without breaking other configured search engines.
