Perplexity AI - AI Search Engine

What is Perplexity AI: Overview

Perplexity AI is an AI-powered answer engine and discovery platform that uses huge models of language and real-time web searches to provide accurate, well-sourced, and contextual answers to user questions. Unlike requirements search engines, which return a list of links, Perplexity summarizes information and delivers direct answers, always accepting its sources for users to verify. It delivers conversational involvement, follow-up questions, and responses that are flexible based on user input.

Perplexity, founded in 2022 by Aravind Srinivas, Denis Yarats, Johnny Ho, and Andy Konwinski, has experienced essential acceptance and valuation growth. It provides both a free public edition and a Pro subscription, which grants access to more complex models and other capabilities such as deep research, file uploads, and collaboration spaces.

Key Features of Perplexity AI

• Conversational Search Engine
• Real-Time Web Browsing
• Powered by Multiple LLMs
• File Upload & Document Q&A (Pro)
• Team Collaboration & Spaces (Pro)
• Internal Knowledge Search (Pro)
• Comet Browser Assistant (Beta)
• Cited Sources for Every Answer

How to Use Perplexity AI? (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Visit the Website

• Go to: https://www.perplexity.ai
• No sign-up is required for basic use, but logging in gives you access to history, saved threads, and Pro features.

Step 2: Enter a Query in Natural Language

You can enter your query like.

• “Who invented the internet?”
• “Top 5 AI tools for content creation”
• “Summarize Apple’s Q2 earnings report”

Perplexity responds with an answer and cites its sources below the response.

Step 3: Ask Follow-up Questions

You can continue the conversation just like you would with ChatGPT.

Example:

After “Top 5 AI tools for content creation,”

ask: “Which one is best for video editing?” or “Compare Jasper and Copy.ai.”

Perplexity maintains the context across questions.

Step 4: Explore Sources

• Every answer has numbered citations linked to real-time sources (news articles, blogs, papers, etc.).
• You can click them to verify or dive deeper.

Step 5: Use “Focus” Options (Optional)

When asking a question, choose a focus mode:

• All – Web + Academic + YouTube + Reddit, etc.
• Academic – Only scholarly papers (great for students/researchers).
• Wolfram|Alpha – For math, data, science queries.
• Writing – For writing help, grammar, summaries, etc.

Step 6: Upload a File (Pro Users Only)

Click the attachment icon to upload PDFs, docs, etc.

Ask questions like:

• “Summarize this file.”
• “What are the main arguments?”
• “Extract key statistics.”

Step 7: Use “Spaces” to Organize Research (Pro)

• Create a Space to save, organize, and share your findings.
• Great for teams, students, or client-facing projects.
• You can collaborate or simply store your AI threads.

Step 8: Install the Browser Extension or Try Comet (Optional)

Perplexity has extensions for Chrome, Edge, and a beta AI browser called Comet.

These tools can:

• Summarize any webpage.
• Auto-fill forms with AI.
• Read your emails and help you draft responses.

Primary Use Cases of Perplexity

1. Actual Research & Instant Answers

2. Academic Research

3. Document Analysis (Pro)

4. Studying & Learning New Topics

5. Writing Help & Content Generation

6. Market Research & Competitor Analysis

7. News Summaries & Trend Analysis

8. Professional & Corporate Research

9. Technical Help (Coding, Math, Science)

10. Business Strategy & Planning

11. Tool Discovery & Product Recommendations

12. Tutoring and Homework Help

13. Internal Knowledge Base Search (Pro)

Ideal Users of Perplexity

• Students & Researchers
• Self-Learners & Knowledge Seekers
• Content Creators & Writers
• Entrepreneurs & Startups
• Professionals & Business Analysts
• Developers & Tech Professionals
• Teachers & Educators
• Lawyers, Consultants & Analysts
• Corporate Teams (Using Pro Features)

Pricing & Plans

1. Free Plan (For all Users)

2. Pro – $20.00 / month

3. Max – $200.00 / month