> For the complete user guide index, see [llms.txt](https://portraitresearch.com/documentation/llms.txt).

# Deep Research overview

[Canonical page](https://portraitresearch.com/documentation/research/research/)

## Applicability

- **Task:** Decide when Deep Research fits a research question
- **Access:** Portrait account; Normal usage and concurrency limits may apply
- **Audience:** Portrait users evaluating or running structured research
- **Surfaces:** web; ios
- **Availability:** Production
- **Content type:** explanation
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-09-08

Deep Research creates a structured report from the companies, document sources, period, and question you select. It can also use relevant financial data, Project documents and Research instructions, and company-associated My Library notes and uploads. Review [Select Deep Research companies and sources](https://portraitresearch.com/documentation/research/select-companies-and-sources/) to understand all the context a run can use.

## When to use Deep Research

Use Deep Research when:

- the question can be scoped before execution;
- you need a structured report rather than a conversational answer;
- the analysis benefits from several companies or source types;
- you want a Portrait Review with a detailed Appendix.

Use [Easel](https://portraitresearch.com/documentation/easel/what-is-easel/) when the path is open-ended, you expect to redirect the work through follow-up questions, or you need a shorter conversational investigation.

## How a run works

```text
Source selection → plan → analysis → summary → final report
```

When the report is ready, review the Portrait Review and use the Appendix to check its supporting evidence.

Duration varies with the breadth of the question, source material, and processing. After Portrait accepts the run, you can leave the page and return to check its status. **Email me when the report is ready** controls the completion email. Closing the page does not cancel the research; see [Deep Research status and recovery](https://portraitresearch.com/documentation/research/research-status-and-recovery/).

The result has two main parts:

- **Portrait Review** — the concise synthesis of the answer;
- **Appendix** — supporting detail, evidence, and analysis behind the review.

## Scope determines usefulness

A strong scope identifies:

- the companies or universe;
- the research period;
- the sources to include;
- the decision or question the report should address;
- the required structure and exclusions.

Prompt improvement can make these instructions clearer, but it cannot guarantee factual accuracy or completeness.

## Evidence and review

Deep Research can attribute claims to selected sources where the workflow and source licence permit it. Source availability differs by firm and content provider. Treat the report as generated analysis: inspect cited evidence and independently verify material claims before using the output in an investment decision.

## Continue with these guides

- [Create a Deep Research report](https://portraitresearch.com/documentation/research/create-a-deep-research-report/)
- [Choose Easel or Deep Research](https://portraitresearch.com/documentation/research/easel-or-deep-research/)
- [Select Deep Research companies and sources](https://portraitresearch.com/documentation/research/select-companies-and-sources/)
- [Improve a prompt](https://portraitresearch.com/documentation/research/improve-prompt/)
- [Use the prompt library](https://portraitresearch.com/documentation/research/select-from-prompt-library/)
- [Deep Research status and recovery](https://portraitresearch.com/documentation/research/research-status-and-recovery/)
- [Export a report](https://portraitresearch.com/documentation/research/export-output/)