When you ask Perplexity a question, it uses advanced AI to search the internet in real-time, gathering insights from top-tier sources. It then distills this information into a clear, concise summary, delivering exactly what you need in an easy-to-understand, conversational tone.
How It Works
Perplexity goes beyond simple keyword searches. It uses cutting-edge language models like GPT-4.1 and Claude 4.0 Sonnet to understand the context and nuances of your query. Here's a breakdown of the process:
Understanding Your Question
Perplexity leverages sophisticated AI to interpret your question, ensuring it knows exactly what you're asking.
Searching the Web
It searches the internet, gathering information from authoritative sources like articles, websites, and journals.
Summarizing Information
Perplexity compiles the most relevant insights into a coherent, easy-to-understand answer.
Citing Sources
Each answer includes numbered citations linking to the original sources, allowing you to easily verify the information or explore further.
Ways to Search
Pro Search: Pro Search is an advanced AI-powered search feature that provides comprehensive, in-depth answers to any query. It goes beyond standard search capabilities by conducting thorough research across multiple sources and delivering detailed, well-organized responses. With Pro Search, you can select which AI model you want applied to your answer: Best (our default option, selecting the most suitable model for your question), OpenAI's GPT-4.1, Anthropic's Claude 4.0 Sonnet, and many more.
Research: Perplexity's sophisticated research feature employs an advanced framework that mimics human cognitive processes through iterative analysis cycles. Deep Research performs dozens of searches automatically, reads hundreds of sources, reasons through material autonomously, and delivers comprehensive reports in just 2-4 minutes.
Free users can enjoy a limited number of Pro Searches per day, while Pro subscribers have access to unlimited Pro searches daily.
Labs: Part of our Pro plan, Perplexity Labs is a feature within Perplexity AI that allows users to build complex projects, like reports, spreadsheets, dashboards, and even simple web applications, using natural language prompts. It leverages tools like deep web browsing, code execution, and chart/image creation to turn ideas into tangible deliverables.
Essentially, it's an AI-powered tool that acts as a productivity booster, handling the research, analysis, and assembly of information to create functional outputs
Core Features
Model selector
Perplexity AI's model selector feature allows users to choose between different AI models when submitting queries, giving you more control and flexibility over the type of response you receive. This feature is available to Perplexity Pro subscribers.
Conversational Dialogue
Perplexity responds in a conversational manner. It's like chatting with an expert who truly understands your questions.
Source Transparency
Every answer includes citations linking to the original sources. This transparency allows you to easily verify the information or explore further.
Contextual Memory
You can ask follow-up questions, and Perplexity will remember the context of your previous queries, ensuring a seamless, flowing conversation.
Examples
For instance, if you ask, "What are the health benefits of yoga?" Perplexity will:
Scan health and fitness websites, medical journals, and yoga blogs
Compile key facts into a helpful overview
Provide a clear, concise answer with citations