The Download
Perplexity is a free, AI-powered search engine with direct access to the web.
It summarizes results from multiple sources and organizes answers in threads that you can share with others.
Most of the features are free, but additional functions can be unlocked.
This article explains how to use Perplexity AI and how its research abilities differ from a traditional search engine.
What Is Perplexity AI?
Perplexity is a search engine that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to understand your question so that it knows how to search for an answer. After referring to several sources, it then summarizes the data it finds to give you the most relevant answer.
Think of it like a team of researchers who quickly read and interpret all the best content on the topic you’re interested in, and then package it into an easily consumable answer.
Perplexity is a powerful tool with quite a few really specific and useful features. Here are some more capabilities to know about and a few tips to help you use it:
It can answer questions about PDFs and other text documents you upload.
It has different search focuses. Pick Math to solve equations or Writing to generate text. Other options include Video, Web, Academic, and Social.
Remove one or more sources from the results to fine-tune how Perplexity answers the question.
Find related images and videos off to the side of any thread.
Fill out your profile with details about yourself to enable personalized answers.
You can start anonymous, self-expiring threads using a built-in incognito mode.
More features are available through Perplexity Pro, which provides unlimited file uploads, access to other AI models, and hundreds of daily Pro searches.
How to Search on Perplexity AI
Don’t let its puzzling name throw you off. Despite its many functions, the basic search utility is easy to use. In this walkthrough, we’ll demo a simple search using the Perplexity AI website, but it’s also available as an app.
On the Perplexity website, type your question into the search bar and then select the right arrow or press Enter.
Expert Tip: Tip
Notice the Focus button under the text box. Perplexity searches the web by default. Other options are available for a more targeted approach, like if you need help with your writing or a math problem.
Much like Google, the primary sources that answer the question are listed in the results. Select a link from the Sources section to visit that website for more information, or keep scrolling for Perplexity’s answer.
The Answer section is what makes Perplexity AI stand out from a regular search engine. Using up-to-date information from the web, it extracts the relevant details from its sources and summarizes the important bits for you.
Expert Tip: Tip
Hover your mouse over any of the numbers in the answer to see where Perplexity sourced that part of the answer.
To dig deeper, use the Ask follow-up box below the answer to ask similar questions. There’s no need to rephrase the original question because each new search exists in its own thread. Much like a conversation, anything you add is tied in with the existing information that’s already been provided.
Scroll to the very bottom of the thread for some additional options. Similar questions are listed here—click one to use it as a follow-up question. You can also copy the whole answer and rewrite it using a different model (like one from OpenAI or Anthropic).
How to Manage Perplexity AI Threads
Threads are a way to organize your research. Perplexity’s threads are similar to emails and other conversations; all of the content within the thread is related. Threads are created automatically with each new search.
Once you log in (a free account is necessary for more than just basic searching abilities), here are some things you can do with your threads:
To name a thread, select its current name at the top of the page. Call it whatever makes sense to you. Your threads are searchable, so creating relevant titles is smart.
To share a thread, select Share below the answer or at the top-right of the page.
To organize your threads by topic, choose Library from the menu on the left. Then, select the three dots next to one of your threads and choose Add to Space. Spaces are simply folders for your threads.
Where Can I Use Perplexity AI?
Perplexity AI works on computers, smartphones, and tablets. Visit Perplexity.ai to use the web version. There’s also a Chrome extension that puts Perplexity directly onto the URL bar of new tabs. The mobile app works on Android, iPhone, and iPad.
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Related: Why Everyone Is Talking About Claude AI: Start Using It Today
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