Generate AI research reports from live web search with OpenAI and Gmail

Quick overview

This workflow collects a research request via an n8n form, runs two live Google searches via the Serper API, uses OpenAI to analyze the sources and write a structured report, then logs the request to Google Sheets and emails the finished report via Gmail.

How it works

1. Receives a research request from an n8n form with the topic, target audience, report goal, and optional focus.
2. Queries Google Search through the Serper API twice (one broad topic search and one “expert insights/data” search) to gather recent sources.
3. Merges, deduplicates, and formats the top results into a numbered source list for downstream analysis and citation.
4. Uses OpenAI to extract structured research intelligence (key findings, data points, expert positions, credibility notes, gaps, contradictions, and a confidence score) from the compiled sources.
5. Uses OpenAI again to write a multi-section professional research report tailored to the requested audience and goal.
6. Formats the report into an email, appends a new row to a Google Sheets “Research Log” tab, and sends the report to the configured recipient using Gmail.

Setup

1. Create a Serper (serper.dev) API key and enter it, along with your recipient email, sender name, and Google Sheet ID, in the workflow’s configuration step.
2. Add an OpenAI API credential and connect it to both OpenAI chat model steps.
3. Add Google Sheets OAuth2 credentials, create a spreadsheet tab named “Research Log” with the expected headers, and select the correct spreadsheet in the Google Sheets append step.
4. Add Gmail OAuth2 credentials and set up the Gmail node to send from your desired mailbox.
5. Share the form URL generated by the form trigger so users can submit research requests.