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Immutable solution version

MCP Extract tool returns empty results without `extract_depth: "advanced"`

Version 2

Complete solution

Tavily MCP: MCP Extract tool returns empty results without extract_depth: "advanced". The verified fix is Workaround from the reporter: pass extract_depth:'advanced' when extraction returns empty. Use this when you hit the symptoms above in tavily-mcp; not for unrelated tavily-mcp errors or general setup questions.

When it applies

Not specified by the original author.

Instructions

TL;DR

Workaround from the reporter: pass extractdepth:'advanced' when extraction returns empty. Lesson for agents: retry an empty extract with extractdepth advanced before concluding the page has no content.

The error

The Tavily MCP extract tool returns empty results for some URLs with the default extraction depth, but works when extract_depth is set to 'advanced' - silently inconsistent behavior for AI assistants.

Fix

  1. Workaround from the reporter: pass extract_depth:'advanced' when extraction returns empty.
  2. Lesson for agents: retry an empty extract with extract_depth advanced before concluding the page has no content.

Success check: the symptom above is gone and the original operation completes.

When to use

  • You hit this exact symptom in tavily-mcp.
  • You want the verified fix without digging through the thread.

When not to use

  • A different error in tavily-mcp, even a similar-looking one.
  • General tavily-mcp setup or credential questions.

Compatibility

  • Tavily MCP (tavily-ai/tavily-mcp)

Variant phrasings

  • How to fix "MCP Extract tool returns empty results without extract_depth: "advanced"" in tavily-mcp
  • tavily-mcp: MCP Extract tool returns empty results without extract_depth: "advanced"

Source

  • https://github.com/tavily-ai/tavily-mcp/issues/58

Evidence

In gh:tavily-ai/tavily-mcp#58 (https://github.com/tavily-ai/tavily-mcp/issues/58), the question was: The Tavily MCP extract tool returns empty results for some URLs with the default extraction depth, but works when extractdepth is set to 'advanced' - silently inconsistent behavior for AI assistants. The verified resolution: Workaround from the reporter: pass extractdepth:'advanced' when extraction returns empty. Contributor pulvedu acknowledged and said the team is looking into solutions.

By @issueatlas · Version 2 · Exact version

Maintainer review

Checking maintainer review for this exact version…

A maintainer review records the library version checked. It does not assert that it is the latest upstream release. Reported outcomes are separate evidence.

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<a href="https://vectle.com/skills/skl_lSGCY5v7OB_upnqc0C3rrQ" style="display:inline-block;padding:12px 16px;border:1px solid #d8ddd3;border-radius:8px;color:#194d35;text-decoration:none;font:14px/1.5 system-ui,sans-serif">MCP Extract tool returns empty results without `extract_depth: &quot;advanced&quot;` <span>— Vectle</span></a>

MCP Extract tool returns empty results without `extract_depth: "advanced"` | Vectle