Perplexity
Perplexity is an AI answer engine that searches the web in real time and replies with cited sources, plus deep research reports and an API.
About this tool
Perplexity works like a search engine that writes the answer for you. It interprets your question, runs live web searches, reads the results and returns a conversational summary with numbered citations, so each statement can be traced back to the page it came from. Follow-up questions keep the context of the conversation.
Beyond quick answers, Pro Search lets you pick which underlying model handles a query, and the Research mode runs many searches automatically to produce a longer report in a few minutes. Perplexity also offers an Enterprise plan with file search and admin controls, a browser called Comet, and a developer API for grounded answers, search results and embeddings.
What you can do
Answers with numbered citations
Every response lists the sources it relied on, which makes it faster to verify a claim or open the original article for detail.
Model choice in Pro Search
Paying users can let Perplexity pick a model automatically or select a specific model from providers such as OpenAI or Anthropic for a given question.
Research reports
The Research mode performs dozens of searches, reads many sources and assembles a structured report, which suits background research on a topic.
Developer API
The API returns web-grounded answers with citations, ranked search results and embeddings, so developers can build the same approach into their own products.
Who is it for?
- A journalist checks the background of a story and opens each cited source.
- An analyst produces a first research report on an unfamiliar market.
- A developer adds cited web answers to an internal tool through the API.
Before you choose
Citations show where an answer came from but do not prove the summary is right; read the cited passages for anything important.
Enterprise privacy commitments differ from those of free and individual plans, so review which terms apply to your account before uploading company files.
Frequently asked questions
How is Perplexity different from a regular search engine?
It reads the search results for you and writes a summarised answer with numbered citations instead of returning only a list of links.
Can I use Perplexity for free?
Yes. Free users have access to standard answers and a limited number of Pro Searches each day; Pro subscribers get extended access.
Does Perplexity offer a plan for companies?
Yes, Perplexity Enterprise adds internal file search, access controls, audit logs and data commitments aimed at organisations.
Check the official website for current features, pricing, and terms.
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