// how to
How to use Perplexity
Pick what you want to do. Each guide gives the steps, prompts you can copy into Perplexity, an example of a good result, and the mistakes that waste your time.
Perplexity how-tos
- 01
How to Use Perplexity: A Beginner's Guide to the AI Answer Engine
How to use Perplexity for the first time: ask a clear question, read the numbered citations, follow up in the same session, upload a file and use Projects.
- 02
How to Use Perplexity for Free (and When Pro or Max Is Worth It)
What Perplexity's free plan includes, its Pro Search and Deep Research limits, and what Pro, Max and Education Pro add, so you can decide whether to pay.
- 03
How to Write Better Perplexity Prompts for Search and Research
How to write Perplexity prompts that get sharper, better-sourced answers: ask the real question, add context and keywords, name sources and the format you want.
- 04
How to Use Perplexity Deep Research for In-Depth Reports
How to use Deep Research in Perplexity: when to pick it over Search, how to write the request, answer its clarifying questions, and check the cited report.
- 05
How to Use Pro Search in Perplexity (There's No Toggle Anymore)
How Pro Search works in Perplexity now: it runs automatically in Search when your plan includes it. When it helps, the free daily limit, and Deep Research.
- 06
How to Check Perplexity's Sources and Citations
How to read Perplexity's numbered citations and its Government, Academic and Trusted labels, and check that a source really says what the answer claims.
- 07
How to Use Perplexity Projects (Formerly Spaces) for Ongoing Research
How to use Perplexity Projects: create one, add instructions, files and websites to prioritize, invite collaborators, and keep each client or topic separate.
- 08
How to Upload Files to Perplexity and Ask Questions About Them
How to upload PDFs, documents, images, audio and video to Perplexity and ask about them alongside web results, plus the 40 MB limit and 30-day file retention.
- 09
How to Use Perplexity Instead of Google for Everyday Searches
How to use Perplexity as your everyday search engine: when a cited answer beats a list of links, how to follow up, and which searches still suit a search engine.
- 10
How to Use Comet, Perplexity's AI Browser
How to install and use Comet, Perplexity's AI browser: import bookmarks, ask the Assistant about any page, create / shortcuts and control what the Assistant can do.
- 11
How to Choose an AI Model in Perplexity (Best, Thinking, Council)
How to pick the AI model behind Perplexity's answers: when to leave it on Best, how to choose your own, when to turn on Thinking, and what Model Council does.
- 12
How to Use Perplexity for School Research and Papers
How students can research with Perplexity: choose Academic sources, read the original studies, study from their own notes and stay within the school's AI rules.
- 13
How to Fact-Check News and Claims with Perplexity
How to fact-check a news story or viral claim with Perplexity: split it into parts, find the original source, compare outlets and set up a daily news briefing.
- 14
How to Compare Products and Prices with Perplexity Before You Buy
How to compare products in Perplexity before you buy: set a budget and must-haves, get a sourced table, check complaints, then confirm the price with the seller.
- 15
How to Shop with Perplexity and Use Instant Buy
How shopping works in Perplexity: ask for products, read the product cards, buy from eligible US merchants with Instant Buy, and find your orders afterward.
- 16
How to Research Competitors and Your Market with Perplexity
How a small business can research competitors with Perplexity: map local rivals, compare prices and reviews, find gaps and track changes with scheduled searches.
- 17
How to Research Stocks and Companies with Perplexity Finance
How to research stocks with Perplexity: summarize earnings and filings, compare companies, use Perplexity Finance and set price alerts, without treating it as advice.
- 18
How to Keep Your Data Private in Perplexity: Opt Out and Incognito
How to keep your data private in Perplexity: turn off AI data retention, use Incognito for sensitive questions, manage Memory and delete old sessions.
- 19
How to Choose Sources in Perplexity: Web, Academic and Your Files
How to choose where Perplexity looks: the Web, Academic sources, your connected files or none, plus prompts and Project settings that favor sites you trust.
- 20
How to Use the Perplexity App and Voice Assistant on Your Phone
How to use Perplexity by voice on iPhone and Android: start a voice conversation, put it on the Action Button, make it your Android assistant, and ask well.
Using AI to write code? See the AI coding guides and the AI glossary.