Perplexity AI has emerged as a game-changing AI search engine that’s reshaping how we find and interact with information online. With over 15 million active users and 780 million queries in May 2025 alone, this revolutionary platform combines the power of artificial intelligence with real-time web search to deliver accurate, cited answers to complex questions.
What is Perplexity AI?
Perplexity AI is an advanced AI-powered search engine that provides conversational, real-time answers to user queries by searching the web and synthesizing information from multiple sources. Unlike traditional search engines that return a list of links, Perplexity AI delivers direct, comprehensive answers with proper citations, making research faster and more efficient.
Founded in 2022, Perplexity AI has quickly grown to become a major competitor to Google Search and ChatGPT, reaching a $9 billion valuation as of 2025. The platform combines large language models with live web data to provide up-to-date, accurate information on virtually any topic.
How Does Perplexity AI Work?
Perplexity AI operates through a sophisticated multi-step process that sets it apart from traditional search engines and chatbots:
The Search Process
- Query Analysis: The AI breaks down your question to understand intent and context
- Web Crawling: It searches multiple sources across the internet in real-time
- Information Synthesis: The AI processes and combines information from various sources
- Answer Generation: It creates a comprehensive response with proper citations
- Source Verification: All answers include links to original sources for fact-checking
Key Technologies
Perplexity AI leverages several advanced AI models, including:
- GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo
- Claude 3 (Opus, Sonnet, Haiku)
- Gemini 2.5 Pro
- Meta’s Llama models
- Perplexity’s own Sonar models
What Does Perplexity AI Do?
Perplexity AI serves multiple functions that make it invaluable for research, learning, and information discovery:
Primary Functions
Real-Time Research: Get current information on any topic with live web search capabilities Conversational Search: Ask follow-up questions and engage in natural dialogue Source Citation: Every answer includes proper citations and links to original sources Multi-Language Support: Search and get answers in multiple languages Visual Content: Generate and analyze images alongside text responses
Advanced Features (Pro Version)
Unlimited Searches: No daily limits on Pro searches File Upload: Analyze PDFs, images, and documents Advanced AI Models: Access to latest GPT-4, Claude, and other premium models Perplexity Labs: Turn prompts into spreadsheets, dashboards, and applications API Access: Integrate Perplexity’s capabilities into your own applications
Perplexity AI Features Breakdown
Core Search Capabilities
Quick Search: Fast answers using Perplexity’s optimized models Pro Search: Deep research using advanced AI models with enhanced reasoning Focus Modes: Target specific types of content (Academic, Reddit, YouTube, etc.) Collections: Save and organize your research into themed groups Memory: The AI remembers context from previous conversations
Recent 2025 Updates
Based on the latest developments, Perplexity AI has introduced several exciting features:
Voice Assistant: iOS app with action-taking capabilities Shopping Assistant: AI-powered product search with one-click checkout Comet Browser: Beta AI-powered web browser (coming soon) WhatsApp Integration: Access Perplexity directly through WhatsApp Enhanced Labs: Turn research into interactive applications
Is Perplexity AI Free?
Yes, Perplexity AI offers a robust free tier alongside premium subscriptions:
Free Plan Features
- Unlimited quick searches
- 5 Pro searches per day
- Basic AI model access
- Standard search capabilities
- Mobile and web access
Perplexity Pro ($20/month)
- Unlimited quick searches
- 300+ Pro searches per day
- Access to GPT-4, Claude 3, and other advanced models
- File upload and analysis
- Perplexity Labs access
- Priority customer support
Perplexity Max ($200/month)
- All Pro features
- Unlimited access to Perplexity Labs
- Advanced AI model priority
- Enhanced API access
Enterprise Pro ($400/year)
- Team collaboration features
- Enhanced security and privacy
- Custom integrations
- Dedicated support
Perplexity AI vs Other Search Engines
vs Google Search
Perplexity Advantages:
- Direct answers instead of link lists
- Conversational interface
- Real-time synthesis of multiple sources
- No ads cluttering results
Google Advantages:
- Broader web indexing
- Local search and maps
- Established ecosystem
- Image and video search specialization
vs ChatGPT
Perplexity Advantages:
- Real-time web access
- Source citations
- Current information (not limited to training data)
- Specialized for research and factual queries
ChatGPT Advantages:
- Better for creative writing
- Stronger conversational memory
- More advanced reasoning for complex tasks
- Better coding assistance
vs Traditional AI Assistants
Perplexity AI excels in scenarios requiring:
- Current events and breaking news
- Research with source verification
- Multi-source information synthesis
- Academic and professional research
Who Created Perplexity AI?
Perplexity AI was founded in 2022 by a team of AI researchers and engineers:
Aravind Srinivas (CEO): Former OpenAI researcher with expertise in machine learning Denis Yarats (CTO): Former Meta AI researcher specializing in reinforcement learning Johnny Ho: Former Quora engineer with search expertise Andy Konwinski: Co-founder of Databricks with distributed systems background
The company has raised significant funding, including a recent $500 million round at a $14 billion valuation, with investors including NVIDIA, SoftBank, and other major tech firms.
Best Use Cases for Perplexity AI
Academic Research
- Literature reviews with proper citations
- Current scientific developments
- Cross-referencing multiple academic sources
- Fact-checking and verification
Business Intelligence
- Market research and trends
- Competitive analysis
- Industry insights and reports
- Real-time business news
Content Creation
- Research for articles and blog posts
- Fact-checking and source verification
- Topic exploration and ideation
- Multi-perspective analysis
Personal Learning
- Explaining complex concepts
- Current events and news analysis
- How-to guides with step-by-step instructions
- Learning new skills and topics
How ScreenApp Enhances Your Perplexity AI Workflow
While Perplexity AI excels at text-based research, ScreenApp’s AI Note Taker complements it perfectly for video-based research and learning. When you’re researching topics that involve video content, presentations, or lectures, ScreenApp can automatically transcribe and summarize key points, which you can then verify and expand upon using Perplexity AI.
For complex research projects, combine ScreenApp’s Video Analyzer to extract insights from video sources, then use Perplexity AI to cross-reference and verify the information with current web sources. This creates a comprehensive research workflow that covers both visual and textual information sources.
The AI Summarizer feature in ScreenApp is also valuable for condensing long research sessions into actionable insights that can be further explored through Perplexity AI’s focused search capabilities.
Getting Started with Perplexity AI
Step 1: Access the Platform
Visit perplexity.ai or download the mobile app (iOS/Android) to get started immediately with the free tier.
Step 2: Try Your First Query
Start with a specific question rather than general keywords. For example:
- “What are the latest developments in quantum computing in 2025?”
- “How does renewable energy storage technology work?”
- “What are the pros and cons of remote work policies?”
Step 3: Explore Advanced Features
- Use Focus modes for targeted searches
- Try file uploads for document analysis
- Experiment with follow-up questions
- Save important research in Collections
Step 4: Consider Pro Upgrade
If you find yourself hitting the 5-search daily limit or need advanced AI models, the Pro subscription offers significant value for heavy researchers.
Common Questions About Perplexity AI
What makes Perplexity AI different from Google?
Perplexity AI provides direct, conversational answers with citations rather than a list of links to search through. It synthesizes information from multiple sources in real-time.
Can I trust Perplexity AI’s answers?
Perplexity AI provides citations for all claims, allowing you to verify information at the source. However, like any AI tool, it’s important to cross-check critical information.
Does Perplexity AI work offline?
No, Perplexity AI requires an internet connection as it searches the web in real-time to provide current information.
How accurate is Perplexity AI?
Perplexity AI’s accuracy depends on the quality of sources it finds. It excels at providing well-sourced, current information but should be verified for critical decisions.
Can I use Perplexity AI for commercial purposes?
Yes, Perplexity AI offers commercial plans including Enterprise Pro for business use cases.
The Future of AI Search
Perplexity AI represents a significant shift in how we interact with information online. As the platform continues to evolve with features like the upcoming Comet browser and enhanced AI capabilities, it’s positioning itself as a serious alternative to traditional search engines.
The integration of real-time search with advanced AI reasoning capabilities makes Perplexity AI particularly valuable for professionals, researchers, students, and anyone who needs quick access to accurate, current information. With backing from major tech companies and a rapidly growing user base, Perplexity AI is well-positioned to continue reshaping the search landscape in 2025 and beyond.
Whether you’re conducting academic research, staying updated on industry trends, or simply curious about the world around you, Perplexity AI offers a powerful new way to discover and understand information. Its combination of AI intelligence and real-time web access makes it an essential tool for the modern information age.
