Research with reasoning
It searches, reads documents and reasons about what to do next, over and over, refining its plan as it learns more about the topic.
In short
A research assistant that writes the first draft of your report
Deep Research runs dozens of searches, reads the sources, decides what to look for next and writes a structured report with citations, usually in 2–4 minutes. It’s on every plan: limited on Free, high volume on Pro, highest on Max. The quality of the report depends mostly on the quality of your brief, and it’s still your job to check the key sources.
Under the hood
How Deep Research works
Perplexity describes three phases.
Report writing
It brings everything together into a clear, structured report, with citations linking claims to sources.
Export and share
Export the report as a PDF or document, or turn it into a Perplexity Page you can share.
Source: Perplexity: Introducing Deep Research (February 2025).
When to use it
When to use Deep Research (and when not)
Great for
- Market and competitor overviews✓Size, players, trends and risks in one place.
- Literature and evidence summaries✓What studies say, with references to read.
- Policy and regulation explainers✓Rules, deadlines and obligations, with official sources.
- Big personal decisions✓Study abroad, buying a car, changing careers.
Use something else for
- Quick factsSearchA normal search is faster and saves your limit.
- One comparison or decisionPro SearchSeveral searches in seconds. Pro Search guide.
- Charts, sheets or appsLabsCreate files and apps (Pro).
- Breaking newsSearchReports take minutes; news can change faster.
Research brief builder
Fill in what you know. We’ll write a Deep Research brief you can copy or open in Perplexity, and score how complete it is. Everything stays in your browser.
Include
Brief strength0%
Start with a topic above.
After opening, switch the search box to Research (Deep Research) mode before sending, or paste the brief into a new Research query.
Step by step
How to run a Deep Research report
- Pick a focused questionDecide what the report must answer, for whom and for what decision.
- Switch to Research modeChoose Research (Deep Research) in the search box.
- Write a full briefInclude scope, time period, region, preferred sources and the sections you want.
- Attach files if neededAdd PDFs or spreadsheets so the report uses your own data too.
- Let it runWatch progress; most reports take a few minutes.
- Check and refineVerify key citations, then ask follow-ups to fill gaps or reshape sections.
- Export or shareExport as PDF or document, or turn it into a Page.
The mode switcher’s label and position vary between the website and apps. If you can’t see Research mode, update the app or use perplexity.ai in a browser.
Examples
6 example briefs you can use
Each one names the audience, scope, sources and structure. Copy one and swap in your topic.
Market overview of plant-based milk in Southeast Asia for a retail investor. Cover market size and growth (2021–2026), top brands by country, price trends, regulation and risks. Prefer industry reports and official statistics. Include an executive summary and a comparison table.
Switch to Research mode before sending.
Literature overview of research on spaced repetition and long-term memory for a psychology undergraduate. Summarise key studies since 2010, effect sizes where reported, open questions and limitations. Use peer-reviewed sources only and list full references.
Switch to Research mode before sending.
Explain how the EU AI Act applies to a small software company selling a customer-service chatbot in Europe. Cover risk categories, obligations, deadlines and penalties. Use official EU sources and law-firm guidance, with dates.
Switch to Research mode before sending.
What does current evidence say about intermittent fasting for weight loss compared with daily calorie restriction? Summarise systematic reviews and major trials, including limitations. For general information, not medical advice.
Switch to Research mode before sending.
Compare the main open-source vector databases for a startup building a search feature: features, performance claims, licensing, hosting options and community activity. Include a decision table and note where claims are vendor-reported.
Switch to Research mode before sending.
Help me decide whether to buy or lease an electric car in the UK in 2026. Compare total costs over 4 years, incentives, battery warranties and resale values. Use official and consumer-organisation sources, and show the assumptions.
Switch to Research mode before sending.
More: research prompts · literature review guide · reports and presentations.
Verify
How to check a Deep Research report
Tick these off before you share or rely on a report.
0 of 7 checks done
Full method: how to check Perplexity’s sources · is Perplexity accurate?
Next
What to do with the report
Ask follow-ups“Expand section 3”, “Add a table of costs”, “Rewrite for a manager”.
ExportDownload as PDF or document for Word or Google Docs.
Make a PageTurn it into a clean, shareable Perplexity Page.
Save to a SpaceKeep it with related threads and files. Spaces.
Build visualsUse Labs for charts, dashboards or slides (Pro).
Share a linkCheck what the shared thread shows before sending.
Plans
Limits, models and benchmarks
Deep Research by plan
- FreeLimitedA limited number of reports. Perplexity no longer publishes exact counts.
- Pro$20/mo“A high volume” of Deep Research, enough for regular work.
- Max$200/moHighest limits and first access to model upgrades.
Good to know
- Time per report2–4 minPerplexity’s figure at launch; complex briefs can take longer.
- Model upgradeFeb 2026Moved to Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.6 for Max first, then rolling out to Pro.
- Launch benchmarks93.9%SimpleQA factual accuracy; 21.1% on Humanity’s Last Exam. Company-reported.
- PlatformsAllWeb, iPhone, Android, Mac and Windows apps.
Sources: Perplexity launch post, model upgrade report, 2026 plan comparison. See limits and credits.
Avoid
Common Deep Research mistakes
A one-line brief“Electric cars” gives a generic report. Say who it’s for and what it should decide.
No time periodWithout dates, old and new figures get mixed. Name the years.
Ignoring source typesAsk for official or academic sources when they matter.
Using it for quick factsIt wastes your limit. Use Search or Pro Search.
Sharing without checkingOpen the citations for every number you’ll reuse.
Starting over instead of following upRefine the same report with follow-up questions.
FAQ
Deep Research questions
What is Perplexity Deep Research?
Deep Research is a Perplexity mode that runs dozens of searches, reads many sources and reasons about what to look for next, then writes a long, structured report with citations. Perplexity says most reports take 2 to 4 minutes.
Is Perplexity Deep Research free?
Yes, with limits. Free users get a limited number of Deep Research reports, while Pro subscribers get a high volume and Max the highest. Perplexity no longer publishes exact numbers, so check the count in your account.
How do I use Deep Research?
Open Perplexity, switch the search box to Research (Deep Research) mode, describe the report you want, including topic, audience, scope and preferred sources, then send it. Watch its progress, read the report, check key sources and export or share it.
How is Deep Research different from Pro Search?
Pro Search answers one complex question with several searches in seconds. Deep Research runs many more searches over a few minutes and writes a full report with sections. Use Pro Search for answers, Deep Research for reports.
Can I export a Deep Research report?
Yes. Perplexity lets you export a report as a PDF or document, or turn it into a shareable Perplexity Page. You can also copy it into Word or Google Docs.
Which AI model does Deep Research use?
Perplexity changes the underlying models over time. In February 2026 it moved Deep Research to Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.6 for Max users first, with a gradual rollout to Pro.
How accurate is Deep Research?
Perplexity reported 93.9% on the SimpleQA benchmark and 21.1% on Humanity’s Last Exam at launch, but those are company-reported benchmark scores, not a guarantee for your topic. Reports can still misread or mis-cite sources, so check key claims.
Can I add my own files to Deep Research?
You can attach files such as PDFs and spreadsheets to your question so the report uses them alongside web sources. Limits on file count and size depend on your plan.
Sources
- Perplexity: Introducing Perplexity Deep Research, 14 February 2025
- Perplexity Deep Research upgrades to Opus 4.6 for Max users, February 2026
- Free Academy: Perplexity Free vs Pro vs Max (2026), September 2026
- Perplexity: How does Perplexity work?
More features
Try it
Run your first Deep Research report
It’s on the free plan with a limit. Build a brief above, then switch to Research mode and send it.