You can use Perplexity AI like a smarter, conversational version of Google: you ask questions in plain language, it searches the web in real time, and then gives you a clear answer with citations you can click and verify. Below is a structured, practical guide to how you can use Perplexity AI on web, mobile, and in different use cases.
Perplexity AI is an “answer engine” and AI chatbot that:
Searches the live web for you
Summarizes answers in natural language
Shows sources and citations below each answer
Lets you ask follow-up questions in a chat-style thread
You can use it for:
Homework & studying
Research & fact-checking
Content & idea generation
Everyday questions, planning, and recommendations
You have several ways to use Perplexity:
Go to perplexity.ai in your browser.
You can start asking questions immediately without an account.
For saved history, Pro, or custom model options, click Sign in / Sign up (Google, Apple, or email).
Open App Store and search “Perplexity – AI Search & Chat” or “Perplexity AI”.
Install the app and sign in (or create an account).
Type or speak your question in the main search bar.
Open Google Play Store and search “Perplexity AI” or “Perplexity – Ask Anything”.
Install, open, and sign in.
Use text or voice just like on iOS/web.
Depending on your setup and region, you may also:
Pin Perplexity as your default search in a browser.
Use browser extensions (if available) to ask Perplexity about the current page.
Use Shortcuts / voice integration on iOS as a kind of “AI Siri” for deeper questions.
In the main input box, you can ask:
Simple:
“What is quantum computing in simple words?”
“How many calories are in a mango?”
Practical:
“Create a 3-day workout plan with no equipment.”
“Write a polite email asking for a project deadline extension.”
Research-style:
“Summarize the latest news on electric vehicles in 2025 and include sources.”
“Compare Perplexity AI vs traditional search engines.”
Perplexity will:
Generate a short, clear answer
Show citations (footnotes / links) along the bottom
You can:
Tap or click the links to open the original articles
Hover or tap on citation markers to see which part came from where
Below the answer you’ll see a follow-up input:
Ask: “Explain this to me like I’m 15.”
Or: “Turn this into a bullet-point slide outline.”
Or: “What are the pros and cons?”
Perplexity keeps conversation context, so you don’t need to repeat everything—just build on the thread.
You can use Perplexity to:
Summarize chapters or articles
“Summarize this article in 5 bullet points” (paste the text or URL).
Explain concepts at your level
“Explain photosynthesis like I’m in grade 8.”
Create study aids
“Make a 10-question quiz about World War II with answers.”
Always double-check important school work with the cited sources or your textbook.
For deeper research, try:
“Give me an overview of [topic], including current challenges and recent developments.”
“Compare 3 recent research papers on [topic], with key findings and limitations.”
“Create a market snapshot of [industry] with sources and numbers.”
If you have Pro, turn on Deep Research (if available in your account) for:
Longer reports
Multi-step reasoning
More sources cross-checked
Use Perplexity to speed up content work:
Outlines
“Create an outline for a blog post about ‘Perplexity AI vs Google Search’.”
Drafts
“Write a 700-word draft article about Perplexity AI benefits for students.”
SEO & ideas
“Give me 20 blog post ideas about AI search engines.”
You should still:
Edit for your own voice
Double-check facts with the citations
Ensure compliance with copyright and platform rules
You can ask:
“Explain this Python error: [paste error].”
“Write a JavaScript function that sorts an array of objects by date.”
“How can I optimize this SQL query?” (paste query)
Perplexity will:
Analyze your code
Suggest fixes, examples, or improvements
Often provide step-by-step explanations
Always review code carefully and test it yourself.
Perplexity is great for:
Travel planning
“Create a 4-day itinerary in Tokyo with budget tips and must-see places.”
Shopping research
“Compare mid-range mirrorless cameras under $1000 with pros and cons.”
Health / finance awareness
“Explain the difference between ETFs and mutual funds in simple terms.”
For high-stakes topics like health, legal, or money decisions, treat answers as informational only and confirm with a qualified professional.
You can use the free version for most everyday tasks, but Perplexity Pro adds:
More or unlimited Pro/Deep Research runs
Access to more powerful AI models and longer context
Higher usage limits per day
Advanced features (depending on region and account type)
Typical situations where Pro is helpful:
You do a lot of serious research every day
You constantly hit usage limits
You want better performance on long documents, codebases, or complex topics
You can upgrade via the web or the mobile app’s subscription section, and manage your plan in your account settings or (on iOS) in App Store → Subscriptions.
Instead of:
“Tell me about Perplexity AI”
Try:
“Explain how Perplexity AI works compared to Google search, in 5 short paragraphs, and include pros and cons with sources.”
Examples:
“Answer in bullet points.”
“Give me a comparison table.”
“Write this as an email to my boss.”
“Give a short answer first, then a detailed explanation.”
You can paste:
A URL and ask “Summarize this page.”
A long piece of text and ask for a rewrite, summary, or explanation.
Perplexity will mix what you give it with external sources when helpful.
Stay in one thread when:
Exploring a topic in depth
Refining a draft
Debugging a single piece of code
This keeps the conversation history and improves relevance.
Avoid sharing highly sensitive personal data (full IDs, passwords, bank details, medical record numbers, etc.).
For critical decisions (health, law, finance, immigration), use Perplexity only as a helper, not a final authority.
Check the privacy policy and, if you’re a business, consider enterprise/API options with stronger data controls.
Here’s a simple starter checklist you can follow right now:
Choose where to use it – web (perplexity.ai), iPhone, or Android.
Ask 3 types of questions:
One learning question (e.g., “Explain X in simple words”).
One practical task (e.g., write an email, outline, or code snippet).
One planning task (e.g., travel, project, or study plan).
Check the citations and open at least one source.
Ask a follow-up to refine the answer (shorter, longer, simpler, more technical).
If you like it and need more power, look at Pro / Deep Research for heavier use.
In short: you can use Perplexity AI as your everyday “AI search + assistant” for learning, research, writing, coding, and planning—on web or mobile. The key is to ask clear questions, read the citations, refine with follow-ups, and always double-check important information before you rely on it.
