Exa drops neural search, launches sub-200ms Instant mode
What happened
Between the Feb 9, 2026 and Feb 16, 2026 captures of Exa's pricing page, Pulse recorded one change: Replaced 'neural' search mode with new 'Instant' (sub-200ms) search mode; search types now Instant, Fast, Auto instead of Fast, auto, neural [before: line 157, after: line 157]. Pulse files it as a product change (feature change) with a neutral direction. Pulse's latest capture (Oct 5, 2026) lists Search at $7 per 1k requests, up to 10 results + $1 per 1k page AI summaries, Agent at $0.01 per search tool call + $0.1 per request (Medium effort), Contents at $1 per 1k pages, per content type + $1 per 1k page AI summaries, Deep Search at $12 per 1k requests, up to 10 results + $1 per 1k requests, additional result above 10 and Deep-Reasoning Search at $1 per 1k page AI summaries + $1 per 1k requests, additional result above 10.
It lands 36 days after Exa's previous change, "Exa Restructures Search API Pricing, Adding Deep Search at $15 per 1k Requests and Removing Keyword Search Option" (Jan 11, 2026). Exa has been tracked since 2024-11-17.
In the same window Google and You.com also changed their AI & Machine Learning pricing pages. Those moves are listed further down, and the Pulse Agent can compare them side by side.
- Search · FeatureReplaced'neural' search mode'Instant'
| Plan | Field | Before | After | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Search | Feature | 'neural' search mode | 'Instant' | Replaced |
Values as written on Exa's public pricing page in the two captures Pulse compared; where the page states no number, the cells give the wording before and after.
Evidence
The two captures Pulse comparedFull-page captures of Exa's pricing page (exa.ai) from Feb 9, 2026 and Feb 16, 2026; the change is marked around the middle of the page, where "'neural' search mode" becomes "'Instant'".
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The two full-page captures with this change marked up are free with an account.
Exa, the last 90 days
Full history- Mar 17, 2026packagingExa Clarifies Contents API Pricing, Adds Search Text Highlights
- Mar 10, 2026improvedExa Restructures Search Pricing With Tiered Per-Result Model
- Mar 3, 2026packagingExa expands free tier to 1,000 monthly requests, revamps pricing
- Feb 16, 2026improvedExa drops neural search, launches sub-200ms Instant mode · this change
- Jan 11, 2026packagingExa Restructures Search API Pricing, Adding Deep Search at $15 per 1k Requests and Removing Keyword Search Option
Across AI & Machine Learning in the same window
All AI & Machine Learning changes- GoogleOct 12Google Workspace swaps Gems for AI skills, rewords Gemini on Starter plan
- GoogleSep 7Google Workspace: promo discount cut from 50% to 30%/20% off
- You.comAug 4You.com: Web Search API now freemium (free 100/day + $5/1k after)
- GoogleJul 6Google Vertexai delays Agent Gateway billing to July 13, extends free window
- GoogleJul 3Google Workspace: new Workspace Studio feature; AI Ultra Access dropped
Questions about this change
Did Exa raise prices in February 2026?
No list-price increase was recorded between Feb 9, 2026 and Feb 16, 2026. The change Pulse detected was a product change: feature change.
What changed on Exa's pricing page between Feb 9, 2026 and Feb 16, 2026?
Search feature: 'neural' search mode → 'Instant', replaced. Pulse compared the captures it took on Feb 9, 2026 and Feb 16, 2026; the before/after table above lists each item as written on the page.
How often does Exa change its pricing?
Pulse recorded 1 other pricing-page change for Exa in the 90 days before this one; the previous change was "Exa Restructures Search API Pricing, Adding Deep Search at $15 per 1k Requests and Removing Keyword Search Option" on Jan 11, 2026; Exa has been tracked since 2024-11-17.