# Memory and search

## Chat history

Merlin keeps every message, file and reaction in the chats it's in until someone deletes them.

## Memory

Each chat has a short memory of things Merlin should always know, like "Jess is vegetarian" or "book club is the first Sunday of the month".

- Ask Merlin to remember or forget something.
- Only the owner and trusted people can change a chat's memory.
- Merlin tidies the memory overnight.

Your direct messages share one memory.

## Search

Merlin can search:

- this chat, including what's in files and pictures. It finds things by meaning, not only exact words.
- your other chats. In your direct messages, always. In a group, only if you turned it on for yourself in that chat's settings, and it asks you each time.
- the web, for news, prices, opening hours and anything else current.

It can also count and compare, for questions like "who's talked the most this month?".