> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.notis.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Research Assistant (via Notion)

> Save deep research reports into a Notion Research database so Notis can file findings with their sources, create one page per competitor, and append new results to existing pages.

Use a Notion **Research** database as the home for the reports Notis produces, so findings are stored with their sources and can be revisited or extended later.

## What this setup does

Notis reads and writes your Notion databases. With a dedicated Research database, Notis can:

* Save a finished report as a page, with the source links preserved

* Create one page per competitor, account, or topic with a structured summary

* Append new findings to an existing page instead of starting over

* Follow the output format you describe on the database

<Warning>
  Deep research uses public web sources only. It does not use your Notion workspace as a research source. **If you need Notion pages included, ask Notis to read those separately and then use the result as context for a follow-up.** Read more in the [Deep Research](/tools/deep-research) reference.
</Warning>

## Step 1: Set up your Research database

The Notis Second Brain template includes a [Research database](/get-started/notion) where Notis can save investigations.

<Tip>
  Add a description to the database explaining your preferred output format. Example: "*Each entry should have: title, public-web sources cited, key findings (bullets), open questions, and recommended next step.*" Notis follows the description on every save. See [database instructions](/notion/database-instructions).
</Tip>

## Step 2: Ask Notis to save the output

> *Save the report to my Research database under "Competitive landscape".*

> *Create one Notion page per competitor with the structured summary.*

> *Append the new findings to my existing market map page.*

## Step 3: Use Notion pages as follow-up context

Research is rarely one-shot. When you need your own notes in the mix, ask Notis to read the Notion page first, then build on it:

> *Read my "Pricing strategy" page in Notion, then compare it with the pricing findings from the last report.*

## Automation: weekly competitor scan

The [weekly competitor scan](/guides/research-assistant#weekly-competitor-scan) automation from the main guide already saves each brief to your Research database. Once the database is connected, it works with no changes.

## Troubleshooting

* **Notis can't find your Research database:** Make sure it is [connected to Notis](/notion/connect-notion) and name it in your prompt, for example "my Notion Research database".

* **Entries come out in the wrong format:** Adjust the database description, Notis follows it on every save.