Overview
Perplexity is an AI search engine that deeply integrates AI conversation with real-time search, hailed as the "Google challenger of the AI era." It not only provides answers but also annotates source links for each piece of information, allowing users to verify and trace back. Perplexity integrates multiple large language models (GPT-4o, Claude 3.5 Sonnet, self-developed models, etc.) and obtains the latest information through real-time internet search. Its Pro Search mode supports follow-up questions and in-depth research, helping users complete complex information research tasks like a research assistant.
Key Features
- Real-time online search + AI answers: Each answer retrieves the internet in real time, synthesizes multiple sources to generate responses, and annotates source links.
- Transparent source citation: Each piece of information is annotated with its source, allowing users to click and view the original source with one click, offering much higher credibility than ordinary AI conversations.
- Pro Search deep research: Supports multi-round follow-up searches, automatically breaks down complex questions, and conducts in-depth research like a research assistant.
- Multiple model selection: Pro users can choose from multiple models such as GPT-4o, Claude 3.5 Sonnet, Sonar, etc., and switch as needed.
- File and image analysis: Supports uploading files such as PDFs and images for analysis, combining search results to provide comprehensive answers.
- Collections knowledge organization: Search results and conversations can be organized into themed collections for easy future reference and sharing.
Use Cases
- Researchers and analysts who need the latest news and real-time data
- Professionals writing reports or conducting competitive analysis who need to cite sources
- Academic research for literature retrieval and background investigation
- Users who have high requirements for the authenticity of AI answers and need to verify sources
- Efficiency users who replace traditional search engines for daily information retrieval
Pros
- Transparent information sources: Each answer comes with source links, ensuring high credibility
- Strong real-time capability: Directly searches the internet for the latest information, not limited by training data cutoffs
- Pro Search is truly useful: Research efficiency for complex questions is significantly better than traditional search
- Free version is quite usable: A certain number of free searches per day, sufficient for daily use
- Clean and efficient interface: No ad distractions, focused on information acquisition
Pricing
Perplexity offers a free version (limited standard searches and 5 Pro Searches per day); Pro version at $20/month or $200/year, unlocking unlimited Pro Searches, multiple model selection, and file uploads. Team version starts at $40/person/month, supporting collaboration and management features. Enterprise version is priced on demand.
Summary
Perplexity redefines "AI search"—not to replace Google, but to make search smarter. If you often need to research information, write reports requiring source citations, or are tired of flipping through pages in traditional search engines, Perplexity is worth making your daily search tool. Its positioning differs from ChatGPT: Perplexity excels at "finding information," while ChatGPT excels at "generating content."
Version History
- Perplexity 开源智能体检测层 Numbat (2026-07-29): Today we open-sourced Numbat, an agent detection and response layer designed to work across multiple agent frameworks. Numbat provides security teams with visibility into agent activities and can block selected actions before execution. Learn more: https://research.perplexity.ai/articles/securing-agents-across-perplexity%E2%80%99s-client-endpoints-with-numba
- Perplexity Computer 推出 Projects 功能 (2026-07-30): Launching Projects on Perplexity Computer. With the release of Projects, we are transforming Computer into a multi-agent collaborative operating system for work, featuring persistent memory, files, and session scope across centers and users. Now available to all users!
- Perplexity 推出 Windows 版个人电脑智能体 (2026-07-28): Personal Computer is now available in the Perplexity Windows app. Personal Computer is a local intelligent agent tool designed for your work. It coordinates agents across local files, connected applications, and networks. Research, code, browse, and build—all within a unified system.
- Perplexity + self-developed Sonar / Pages (2025): Self-developed Sonar model + multiple model options (Claude 3.5 Sonnet / GPT-4o / Gemini 2.0), Pages one-click generation of topic pages, over 200,000 enterprise users
- Perplexity 1.0 (2022-2024): Started from "connected AI search," establishing a leading position in the AI search track