Step-by-Step Guide to Using ResearchRabbit

Written by
Mina
October 7, 2025

If you're new to ResearchRabbit, this guide will help you go from a simple search (or a paper you already know) to building a structured view of your research field.

Unlike traditional academic search tools, ResearchRabbit doesn’t just return a list of results. It helps you explore how papers are connected, so you can discover relevant work faster and understand the landscape more deeply.

Over time, it becomes less about searching and more about building a workflow that fits naturally into how you already research.

How ResearchRabbit works

ResearchRabbit combines search with discovery.

You can start with something simple, a keyword, a topic, or even just one paper you already know. From there, the platform builds recommendations based on how papers are connected through citations.

Instead of starting from scratch every time, you expand from what you’ve already found. Each round helps ResearchRabbit refine what it shows you next.

Step 0: Create your first project

After signing up, you’ll be asked to create your first project.

This is simply your workspace for a research topic, a place where everything you find will be organized.

Step 1: Get familiar with the interface

When you first enter the app, it might feel a bit empty, that’s completely normal. As you start searching and saving papers, everything will begin to fill in.

At the top, you’ll see the search bar, where you can look for papers using keywords, topics, titles, or DOIs. This is where most of your exploration begins.

Step 2: Start with a search

Use the search bar to begin exploring your topic.

You can start with something simple, a keyword, a broader topic, or even a paper you already know (by title or DOI).

Step 3: Select your seed papers

After searching, you’ll see a list of results, each showing the title, source, and a short preview.

Don’t worry if results aren’t perfect

It’s completely normal if the first results aren’t ideal. Try scrolling and clicking Next to explore more options.

Build your seed set

Once you’ve found a few relevant papers, select them and click Search.

Step 4: Explore the citation map

After clicking Search, you’ll enter the graph view, and this is where ResearchRabbit really starts to feel different.

How to read the map

At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see simple directional hints:

Higher (↑) → more cited (more influential)
Right (→) → more recent

Understanding patterns

As you explore, you’ll start noticing patterns.

Step 5: Work with individual papers

1. Add notes

2. Save to collections

If a paper is important or relevant to your work, it’s a good idea to save it to a collection so you can easily find it later.

3. Explore deeper: Similar, References, Cited By

Step 6: Iterate and refine

This isn’t a one-time process.

Real-World Use Cases: When ResearchRabbit Makes a Difference

Use Case	How ResearchRabbit Helps
Literature Review	Discover and explore related papers through citation connections, and organize them in one place as your understanding grows.
Research Gap Identification	Use the citation map to see how papers connect, identify clusters, and spot areas that are less explored.
Exploring a New Topic	Start with a few papers and quickly expand into a broader network to understand the structure of a field.
Organizing Papers	Save relevant papers into collections and build a structured view of your research over time.
Collaborating on Research	Share collections with co-authors or teammates to streamline collaboration and feedback.

Final thoughts

ResearchRabbit isn’t just a search tool.

👉 By combining search, exploration, and iteration, it becomes part of a complete literature review workflow.

FAQ

What is ResearchRabbit used for?
ResearchRabbit is used to discover and explore academic papers through their connections.

Is ResearchRabbit free?
ResearchRabbit offers free access to its core features.

How to use ResearchRabbit?
You can start by searching for a topic, keyword, or a paper you already know.

How is it different from Google Scholar?
Google Scholar focuses on keyword search. ResearchRabbit helps you explore connections between papers.

Do I need to know exactly what I’m looking for?
No, ResearchRabbit is useful when you're still exploring a topic.