What is Perplexity AI? [UPDATED
Perplexity AI is shaking up the way people search the internet. If you’ve been relying on Google or Bing for answers, there’s a new contender in town—one that blends search with conversational AI. But what exactly is Perplexity AI, how does it work, and why is it gaining traction among researchers, professionals, and everyday users?
In this in-depth guide, we’ll explore what Perplexity AI is, how it works, what makes it different from traditional search engines and chatbots, and why it matters for the future of AI and search.
What is Perplexity AI?
Perplexity AI is an AI-powered answer engine that combines real-time web search with natural language processing to deliver direct, conversational answers to user questions. Think of it as a hybrid between a chatbot and a search engine.
Instead of giving you a list of links like Google, Perplexity gives you clear, sourced answers in plain English, often citing relevant websites along the way. It’s built on large language models (LLMs) like OpenAI’s GPT-4, Claude, or Mistral, depending on the version you’re using.
In short, it’s search that talks back—and it learns from context.
Who Created Perplexity AI?
Perplexity AI was founded in 2022 by a team of AI and search veterans:
- Aravind Srinivas – Former OpenAI researcher
- Dennis Chen – Early engineer at Quora
- Johnny Ho – Former Meta AI engineer
- Andy Konwinski – Co-founder of Databricks
The company is backed by major investors including Jeff Bezos, NVentures (NVIDIA’s venture arm), and Elad Gil. As of early 2024, Perplexity has raised over $70 million and continues to grow rapidly.
How Does Perplexity AI Work?
Perplexity uses a combination of natural language processing, live web crawling, and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG).
Here’s a simplified breakdown:
- You ask a question in plain English.
- Perplexity searches the web in real-time.
- It retrieves relevant content from credible sources.
- The AI then summarizes the information into a conversational answer.
- It provides citations you can click for verification.
Unlike ChatGPT (which is sometimes limited by its knowledge cutoff), Perplexity always attempts to pull current information from the internet, making it ideal for news, product comparisons, research, and more.
Perplexity vs. Google Search
Let’s compare the experience:
| Feature | Google Search | Perplexity AI |
| Search Results | List of links | Summarized answers + links |
| Conversational Interface | No | Yes |
| Real-Time Data | Yes | Yes |
| Source Citations | Sometimes (featured snippets) | Always |
| Context Awareness | Limited | Strong multi-step memory |
| AI Summary | Optional (AI Overview) | Default behavior |
Bottom line: Google is powerful for link-based search. Perplexity is better for direct answers and complex queries that require synthesis across sources.
Perplexity vs. ChatGPT
They both use AI, so what’s the difference?
| Feature | Perplexity AI | ChatGPT (Free/Plus) |
| Real-Time Web Access | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (Free) / ✅ With browsing |
| Conversational Chat | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Sources/Citations | ✅ Built-in | ⚠️ Optional or manual |
| Default Model | GPT-3.5 / GPT-4 / Claude | GPT-3.5 (Free) / GPT-4-turbo (Plus) |
| UI Style | Search-first | Chat-first |
In short: ChatGPT is a chatbot with optional web tools. Perplexity is a search engine that chats and always prioritizes up-to-date answers with links.
Key Features of Perplexity AI
Here’s what makes Perplexity stand out:
- ✅ Real-Time Web Search: Pulls current data from live websites
- 🔍 Sourced Citations: Every answer includes references
- 🧠 Contextual Memory: Keeps track of your conversation
- 📚 Pro Search: Advanced mode for deep research
- 👥 User Profiles: Save searches and build collections
- 🔒 No Login Required: You can use it anonymously
- 💼 API Access: For developers and integrations
Is Perplexity AI Accurate?
That depends on how you use it.
Perplexity is only as accurate as its sources. The good news is it cites them clearly, so you can verify everything. Still, like any AI tool, it may occasionally:
- Misinterpret your query
- Oversimplify complex topics
- Show outdated links (rare, but possible)
Always check the sources—especially for academic or medical research.
Free vs. Pro: What Do You Get?
Free Plan
- Unlimited basic searches
- Access to GPT-3.5 and some LLMs
- Real-time results with sources
Pro Plan ($20/month, as of mid-2025)
- Access to GPT-4-turbo, Claude 3, and Mistral Large
- Faster and longer responses
- Pro Search with deeper multi-step reasoning
- Private collections, workspaces, and saved threads
For researchers, analysts, or tech-savvy users, the Pro plan is well worth the cost.
Final Thoughts
Perplexity AI isn’t just a tool—it’s a new way to think about search.
It removes friction. It gives you answers, not just links. And it empowers you to learn faster, research smarter, and stay updated without the noise of ads and clutter.
If you’re still typing questions into Google and sifting through SEO-optimized blog posts for answers, it might be time to try something better.
Perplexity AI is where AI meets search—finally, in a way that makes sense.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Perplexity AI free to use?
Yes, Perplexity offers a completely free version with access to GPT-3.5 and real-time web search. You don’t even need to sign up to use it.
2. What models does Perplexity AI use?
Perplexity Pro users can access GPT-4-turbo, Claude 3, and Mistral Large. The free version typically uses GPT-3.5 or a mix of fast, efficient open models.
3. Does Perplexity AI show citations?
Yes. Every answer includes clickable source citations, so you can verify the information. This makes it highly reliable for research and fact-checking.
4. How is Perplexity different from ChatGPT?
While both use large language models, Perplexity is search-first and always pulls in real-time web results. ChatGPT is chat-first and doesn’t access the internet unless you enable browsing (Plus plan).
5. Can I trust the answers from Perplexity AI?
Mostly, yes. Since it shows linked sources, you can evaluate the reliability yourself. However, like any AI, it may misinterpret queries or summarize imperfect data—so cross-check important information.
6. Does Perplexity AI store my search history?
If you’re using it without logging in, it doesn’t store anything tied to your identity. If you’re logged in, you can manage and delete your history or save searches to collections.
7. Can Perplexity AI generate long-form content like essays or reports?
It’s more optimized for answering questions and summarizing research than generating full-length essays. For long-form generation, tools like ChatGPT or Claude may offer more flexibility.
8. What is “Pro Search” in Perplexity?
Pro Search is an advanced feature in the paid plan that:
- Breaks your query into subtopics
- Searches multiple angles
- Synthesizes a deeper, multi-layered answer
It’s ideal for professionals, analysts, or academic users.
9. Does Perplexity AI work on mobile devices?
Yes. You can access Perplexity via mobile browser, and there are also native mobile apps for iOS and Android that provide a smooth, optimized experience.
