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

# Searches

> Create natural-language searches over Clay's proprietary GTM database and fetch structured records.

Searches let you access Clay's company, people, and jobs data from natural language.

When called through the Public API, Searches are two step:

1. Create a search from a natural-language query.
2. Use the returned `search_id` to fetch results.

## Create and fetch a page

This example creates a people search and fetches the first page.

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
SEARCH_ID=$(curl --request POST \
  --url https://api.clay.com/public/v0/searches \
  --header "Content-Type: application/json" \
  --header "clay-api-key: $CLAY_API_KEY" \
  --data '{
    "query": "Find software engineers in New York City",
    "source_type": "people"
  }' | jq -r '.search_id')

curl --request POST \
  --url "https://api.clay.com/public/v0/searches/$SEARCH_ID/next" \
  --header "Content-Type: application/json" \
  --header "clay-api-key: $CLAY_API_KEY" \
  --data '{"limit": 20}'
```

## Choose a source type

Set `source_type` based on the records you want back.

| Source type | Use it for                                       |
| ----------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| `people`    | Contacts, titles, locations, and profile data    |
| `companies` | Accounts, domains, industries, and firmographics |
| `jobs`      | Open roles, hiring signals, and job records      |

## Response shape

The page endpoint returns records and `has_more`.

```json theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
{
  "data": [
    {
      "full_name": "Jane Doe",
      "job_title": "Software Engineer",
      "location": "New York, New York, United States",
      "linkedin_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/janedoe"
    }
  ],
  "has_more": true
}
```

If `has_more` is `true`, call `POST /searches/{search_id}/next` again.

## Related guides

<Card title="Public API quickstart" href="/public-api/quickstart">
  Set up your API key.
</Card>

<Card title="Generated API reference" href="/api-reference/searches/create-a-search-from-natural-language-text">
  See the create-search schema and try-it UI.
</Card>

<Card title="Run a search, then enrich with a function" href="/recipes/search-and-enrich">
  Combine Searches with Clay-managed functions.
</Card>