How to use Perplexity AI: Tutorial, pros and cons|Complete Guide

The AI-powered search engine Perplexity offers a conversational tone and essential source citations, though it has its flaws. Discover how this tool works and how you can start using it.

AI is transforming numerous industries by enhancing data gathering, interpretation, and utilization processes. In particular, AI-powered search engines leverage algorithms that emulate human intelligence to assist users in locating relevant information efficiently.

Modern AI tools extensively utilize large language models (LLMs) for text generation. These models harness deep learning algorithms and vast datasets to consolidate information and generate new content. AI systems integrate LLMs with various generative AI models to create text, images, music, and other forms of data. The capabilities of LLMs dictate how AI systems respond to user queries, making them pivotal components in AI-powered search engine architectures.

Perplexity AI sets itself apart by leveraging multiple LLMs to formulate responses. Unlike traditional search engines, Perplexity delivers synthesized information in a natural language format that is easy to comprehend, accompanied by citations and detailed explanations.

Explore the features, advantages, and limitations of Perplexity AI, and follow the tutorial below to begin using this innovative tool.

What is Perplexity AI?

Perplexity reimagines the search experience by facilitating natural language queries and providing contextual interpretations. It adopts a conversational approach to understanding user inquiries and suggests refined search options to help users pinpoint specific information.

Positioned as a viable alternative to conventional search engines such as Google or DuckDuckGo, Perplexity functions more like a knowledgeable assistant than a mere link aggregator. Unlike traditional engines that present links for users to explore independently, Perplexity directly delivers informative responses tailored to users' queries.

Beyond basic search functionalities, Perplexity expands its utility by offering content generation capabilities akin to AI chatbots like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Anthropic's Claude. With Perplexity Pro, users can switch between multiple large language models (LLMs) developed by various organizations, including image generation models like Dall-E 3 and Stable Diffusion XL, enhancing its capacity for multimodal outputs. In addition to generating written text, Perplexity can create images and execute basic coding tasks, broadening its scope of generative capabilities.

Perplexity AI Features and costs

Perplexity approaches user queries with a conversational style, adept at understanding and leveraging context. Unlike competitors such as ChatGPT and Claude, which rely solely on their proprietary LLMs, Perplexity stands out by offering access to multiple LLMs from various vendors. It's globally available except in the EU due to regulatory constraints.

Perplexity offers three subscription tiers:

1. Free Version:

   

• No account required.

• Supports basic searches with citations and follow-ups.

• Utilizes OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.

• Allows uploads of images, text, and PDF files (up to three per day).

• Account creation offers profile customization benefits.

2. Perplexity Pro:

   

• Costs $20 per month or $200 annually.

• Integrates multiple AI models including OpenAI's GPT-4 Turbo, Anthropic's Claude 3, and Perplexity Experimental.

• Enables detailed clarifications and uploads of PDFs, CSVs, and more.

• Limits queries to 600 per day.

• Provides credits for referrals, API access, and LLM switching for refined results.

3. Perplexity Enterprise Pro:

   

• Offers flexible pricing tailored to team sizes.

• Includes administrative features like user management, single sign-on integration, enhanced security, and data retention.

• Designed for organizations needing comprehensive search and AI capabilities.

Each tier enhances user experience by expanding functionality and access to advanced AI capabilities, making Perplexity a versatile tool for both individual users and enterprises seeking robust data analysis and information retrieval solutions.

How to Get Started with Perplexity AI

Getting Started with Perplexity AI: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Create a Free Perplexity Account

   While Perplexity can be used without an account, creating one offers additional benefits such as sharing collections, customization options, and enhanced preferences.

   

   

• Sign up for a free Perplexity account using your email.

• Set up your account preferences and personalize your profile.

• Optionally, explore the paid Perplexity Pro version.

   

   Use the download link in the lower-left corner to install Perplexity on your iPhone, Android device, or integrate it directly into your browser.

2. Developing Search Queries

   Start by navigating to the upper-left corner of the Perplexity interface.

   

   

• Begin a new query thread or explore the Discover link for AI and technology news.

• Utilize the Library to manage and organize your recent searches and collections.

• Use the Focus feature for targeted searches across platforms like YouTube, Reddit, academic papers, Wolfram Alpha for computational knowledge, a writing generator, and more.

3. Exploring Perplexity's Writing Mode

   Beyond answering queries, Perplexity AI boasts generative language capabilities. Experiment with its creativity by requesting it to compose a song or create a story.

Here's an example of its output:

   [Include the output of Perplexity's writing mode here, reflecting the requested song or story.]

   While the result may demonstrate decent rhyming, note that Perplexity adheres strictly to the specifics of the prompt, even if it involves unusual scenarios like a snowstorm in the key of A minor.

Using Perplexity Pro

In Perplexity Pro, the Copilot feature enhances the experience by prompting users to provide further details or clarify their queries when necessary. While straightforward questions typically don't trigger this feature, more complex or open-ended inquiries can benefit significantly from Copilot's follow-up questions.

For instance, in Figure 5, Perplexity responds to a general query by requesting clarification on the specific genre, demonstrating its capability to refine search results based on user input.

What do I think of Perplexity AI?

My Experience with Perplexity AI

As someone entrenched in technology for many years, I maintain a healthy skepticism towards new advancements, including AI. However, integrating Perplexity into my daily writing routine has proven to be immensely beneficial, saving me valuable time and effort. I particularly appreciate its citation feature, which allows me to verify information thoroughly and explore topics in greater depth. The natural language responses have been consistently useful, and I haven't encountered any issues with query or token limitations so far.

Pros and Cons of Perplexity AI

Pros:

• User-friendly interface.

• Robust free version.

• Conversational approach with natural language queries and responses.

• Provides source citations, distinguishing it from other AI tools.

• Offers flexibility with multiple large language models (LLMs).

• Enables creation of collections to organize and store queries.

Cons:

• Some responses may still be unreliable.

• Occasional repetition in generated content.

• Vulnerable to issues inherent in third-party LLMs it utilizes.

If you're new to Perplexity, start by creating a free account and replacing your standard search engine queries with it for a few days. Explore the comprehensive FAQs for tips and tricks, and check out the technical FAQs if you're a developer or advanced user. Consider downloading the smartphone version to integrate it seamlessly into your daily tasks.