Imagine having a personal assistant who's always ready to answer your questions, provide insights, and summarize information—all within seconds.

Well, that’s exactly what Perplexity AI does!

If you’re trying to understand a complex topic or need quick information, Perplexity has you covered.

Let’s explore how you can get started with Perplexity AI, including how to use its features, and why it’s such a game-changer for everyday searches.

Getting to Know Perplexity AI

Perplexity AI is a search tool powered by advanced language models like GPT-4 Omni and Claude 3. It’s not your traditional search engine—it goes beyond simple keyword searches to understand what you’re really asking.

Perplexity then uses its natural language understanding (NLU) to scour the internet for the most relevant, up-to-date information, and deliver a clear, concise answer, just like chatting with an expert.

This isn’t just a search engine; it’s an intelligent partner.

To learn more about Perplexity and explore its capabilities, you can join the Perplexity AI community on Discord to engage with other users and share your experiences.

How to Use Perplexity AI

Perplexity AI offers a sophisticated and intuitive platform for enhancing your search experiences and obtaining precise information efficiently. To help you get the most out of this tool, we’ve broken down the usage into clear, actionable steps.

Let’s begin with the foundational step:

Step 1: Starting a Search with Perplexity AI

To start using Perplexity, simply head to their website and type your question into the search bar.

Let’s say you want to know, “What are the benefits of hiking?” Perplexity will immediately get to work by searching reliable health and fitness websites, medical journals, and blogs. They also show images, YouTube videos.

What’s really cool here is that Perplexity doesn’t just present a list of links—it compiles the most relevant insights into a direct answer, which makes it easy for you to understand without scrolling through endless sources.

It’s perfect for those times when you’re in a hurry and want a straight-to-the-point answer without all the extra fluff that comes with traditional search engines.

Step 2: Choosing Between Quick Search and Pro Search

Perplexity offers two different search options: Quick Search and Pro Search.

With the Professional plan for $20 monthly, you get access to:

If you’re using the free version of Perplexity, you can enjoy up to five Pro Searches per day. Pro users, however, get up to 600 searches daily—great for power users or those who frequently dive into research. You can learn more about the Pro features here or consider upgrading through Perplexity Pro.

Having access to both Quick and Pro Search is like having two different assistants: one for quick tasks and the other for deep research.

Step 3: Using Perplexity’s Conversational Style

Perplexity AI stands out for its conversational dialogue. When you type in a question, you’ll receive an answer that’s easy to read—almost like you’re chatting with a knowledgeable friend.

For example, if you ask about hiking, you’ll receive an answer detailing both physical and mental health benefits, complete with references and suggestions for YouTube videos, so you can explore further.

What makes it even better is its contextual memory. If you ask a follow-up question, like “What equipment do I need for hiking?” Perplexity will remember your earlier query and ensure the conversation flows smoothly without you needing to restate everything.

This feature makes Perplexity perfect for learning about new topics in-depth—you can keep asking questions, and it keeps learning about your needs.

Step 4: Adding Text or PDF Files

Another powerful feature of Perplexity AI is the ability to upload and analyze text or PDF files. This feature is ideal for those who need detailed insights from specific documents, such as research papers, reports, or manuals. Simply upload your file, and Perplexity will extract and summarize the key information for you.

Step 5: Exploring Source Transparency

One of the best parts about using Perplexity AI is its commitment to source transparency. Every answer provided by Perplexity includes footnotes linking to the original sources, allowing you to easily verify the information or delve deeper into a topic if needed.

This is especially important for users who need reliable information for work or school projects.

For instance, if you’re exploring the health benefits of a certain herb, Perplexity will not only give you a summary but also provide links to credible journals and studies. This feature ensures you always have access to authoritative sources, and it makes it easier to trust the answers you’re getting.

Step 6: How to Use Spaces

Perplexity AI also offers a feature called Spaces, which allows users to organize their searches into dedicated categories. Spaces help you keep track of different topics or projects in one place, making it easier to revisit and manage your queries. To learn more about using Spaces, you can check out the Spaces FAQ.

Using Spaces is ideal for anyone who needs to keep information structured, whether for ongoing research or for managing multiple topics simultaneously. You can create new Spaces, add searches, and even collaborate with others to make the process more efficient.

Step 7: Taking Advantage of Free Pro Searches

If you’re wondering about how to use Perplexity AI Pro for free, the good news is that every user gets access to five Pro Searches per day. These searches are ideal when you need an in-depth exploration of a topic or have multiple parts to your question.

After using up the free Pro Searches, you’ll need a subscription to continue using the Pro feature extensively. For businesses needing more tailored solutions, Perplexity Enterprise offers options specifically designed to cater to enterprise needs.

Even the free plan of Perplexity gives you an excellent experience—I found that using the Pro Searches strategically for more complex questions was enough for most of my needs.

Why Use Perplexity AI?

Perplexity AI is redefining how we interact with information. Instead of overwhelming us with too many results, it narrows things down to exactly what we need.

By using advanced language models, contextual embeddings, and query expansion techniques, it understands the intent behind our questions and delivers clear, useful answers.

If you’re a student, a researcher, or just curious about something, Perplexity helps make your search process more enjoyable and productive. With features like text generation, intent recognition, and semantic search, it offers far more than what typical search engines can provide.

To keep updated with the latest features, events, and news, follow Perplexity on their social channels like Twitter (X).

User Experiences: Perplexity in Action

Many users find Perplexity AI to be an indispensable tool in their daily workflow. For instance, one user mentioned that it saves them countless hours each week, making it a fantastic boost for all sales and marketing workflows and projects. It’s not just the time-saving aspect; the intuitive way in which Perplexity works makes it a game-changer for anyone needing fast, accurate information.

Another user praised Perplexity's simple question format, saying it's incredibly easy to use. Asking a brief question like “What makes the best beef pie?” brings up highly-rated recipes, cooking tips, and advice—all without needing to look at multiple sources individually. Everything is presented on one page, and searches are saved to your profile, making it easy to revisit information.

However, some users admitted that despite loving the app, they occasionally forget to use it, often defaulting to Google out of habit. They noted how having Perplexity on their phone’s home screen helps as a reminder.

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Key Features and Versatility

Perplexity AI is more than just a tool for quick searches; it has become a versatile ally for users handling different types of tasks. Whether it’s drafting emails, researching for presentations, or even selecting which LLM model to use (such as OpenAI or Anthropic), Perplexity allows you to customize your experience and get the best results for each unique situation.

The tool’s commitment to security and privacy also makes it a reliable option for professionals. Users appreciate how they can focus more on strategic activities instead of getting bogged down with information-gathering.

My Opinion: Being able to choose between different LLM models directly within Perplexity is a major plus. It means you’re always equipped with the best AI assistant for your specific needs without needing to switch tools.

Final Thoughts

Using Perplexity AI is as easy as typing in your question, and the insights you get are both relevant and well-supported.

The combination of conversational dialogue, source transparency, and smart search options makes it an incredible tool for both quick answers and deep dives.

If you’re a student looking for study help, a professional needing a quick answer, or just someone exploring new topics for fun, Perplexity AI will feel like an expert assistant at your fingertips—always ready to help.

Give it a try today, and you might find yourself wondering how you ever searched the internet without it!

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