Introducing NLWeb: Microsoft’s Innovative Open Project
At the BUILD 2025 developer conference, Microsoft unveiled an exciting new open-source initiative known as NLWeb. This project aims to empower developers by enabling the transformation of traditional websites into AI-powered applications that utilize natural language processing. The vision is to create interactive chat interfaces for users to engage directly with website content, much like the experience provided by ChatGPT.
How NLWeb Works
Each instance of NLWeb operates on a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server. This feature enhances website discoverability, allowing agents and other entities within the MCP ecosystem to access information as desired. Microsoft envisions NLWeb fulfilling a crucial role akin to that of HTML in the burgeoning landscape of the agentic web.
“NLWeb leverages semi-structured formats like Schema.org, RSS, and other data that websites already publish, combining them with LLM-powered tools to create natural language interfaces usable by both humans and AI agents. The NLWeb system enhances this structured data by incorporating external knowledge from the underlying LLMs (such as layering on geographic insights to a restaurant query) for richer user experiences.”
A Technology-Agnostic Approach
One of the standout features of NLWeb is its technology-agnostic nature, providing support across all major operating systems, AI models, and vector databases. This flexibility allows developers to select the components that best meet their specific requirements, thereby optimizing resources and enhancing functionality.
The Importance of NLWeb for Web Publishers
Microsoft suggests that NLWeb has the potential to revolutionize how web publishers engage with their audiences by transforming their sites into dynamic natural language experiences. As the agentic web continues to evolve, NLWeb facilitates a greater degree of interaction, transaction, and discoverability for web publishers, empowering them to operate on their own terms.
Testing and Collaboration
In preparation for the broader rollout of NLWeb, Microsoft has collaborated with a select group of websites to test and refine the project to align with user needs. Notable participants in this initiative include Common Sense Media, Eventbrite, O’Reilly Media, Shopify, and Tripadvisor.
Getting Started with NLWeb
If you are interested in bringing the capabilities of NLWeb to your own website, you can explore the project further by visiting Microsoft’s NLWeb GitHub repository.
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