How to Use Every Major Perplexity AI Feature

TL;DR

Perplexity can combine information from multiple sources into cited answers, analyze uploaded files, and organize related research in Spaces. The free plan supports basic searches and limited Pro Search, while the $20 monthly Pro plan adds deeper research and advanced tools. The $200 monthly Max plan includes broader access and Comet, an AI-powered browser for managing tabs, summarizing pages, and interacting with online content.

Transcript

Perplexity is my go-to AI search engine, but it's far more than just a search tool. It's actually a lot more useful than that. So, in this one video, I want to show you everything it has to offer. And we'll start here with the free plan, and then I'll show you more advanced tools that are included in the pro plan and the max plan. And I'll also sho... Read More

Key Insights

• Basic Perplexity search is available without a paid subscription and returns a synthesized answer supported by sources. It can also display related questions, images, websites, and the steps used to gather information, reducing the need to open and review numerous search results individually.
• Pro Search is designed to produce more in-depth answers by using stronger AI models in the background. Free accounts receive three Pro Searches per day, while the Pro plan provides more access and can use models such as GPT-5, Claude, and Gemini.
• Search filters are available for controlling which source categories Perplexity consults. Users can search the general web, academic papers, social discussions such as Reddit, and financial filings, then combine or disable categories according to the research question.
• Perplexity answers can be distributed or reused in several formats. Users can copy a shareable link, change shared material back to private, export a formatted PDF with sources, or create an editable Microsoft Word document from the generated response.
• File analysis can combine private documents with external information in one response. A user can upload material, ask Perplexity to compare it with another subject, and inspect sources that include attachments, websites, YouTube, and social links. The free plan supports up to three documents.
• Spaces are topic-specific work areas that collect related conversations, uploaded files, links, and instructions. Users can name a Space, add a description, preserve multiple research threads, and specify prompts that influence the tone or style of future responses.
• Perplexity’s Pro plan costs $20 per month and adds unlimited Pro Search, deeper research, Google Drive and Dropbox connections, more advanced uploads, public Pages, AI image generation, and Perplexity Labs for creating custom apps from research and instructions.
• Perplexity’s Max plan costs $200 per month and includes expanded access to capabilities from the Pro plan. It also provides Comet, an AI-powered browser that can manage tabs, summarize webpages, and interact with content visible during online browsing.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Perplexity AI search the web?

Perplexity searches multiple websites and combines the gathered information into a single response supported by source links. A result can include a written answer, relevant images, a list of consulted websites, and steps showing how information was assembled. It also suggests related questions and accepts follow-up prompts, allowing users to deepen their research without beginning a separate search.

Q: What is the difference between basic search and Pro Search in Perplexity?

Basic search is available with unlimited access on the free plan and uses Sonar by default. Pro Search conducts more in-depth research and generally provides stronger answers because it can use more powerful AI models in the background, including GPT-5, Claude, and Gemini. Free users receive three Pro Searches per day, while additional access requires upgrading to the Pro plan.

Q: How can I filter sources in Perplexity searches?

The source controls let users select the categories Perplexity should search. Available options shown include the general web, academic papers, social discussions such as Reddit, and financial filings. A user can enable several categories together or disable unrelated ones. For example, a finance-focused query can search financial filings alone, while broader research can combine filings, websites, and social commentary.

Q: How can I share or export a Perplexity answer?

A Perplexity answer can be shared by copying its link or using the sharing control. Access can later be changed to private so only the author can view it. Results can also be downloaded as formatted PDF files that retain source information, or exported as Microsoft Word documents that users can open and edit like regular documents.

Q: How does Perplexity analyze uploaded files?

Perplexity allows users to attach documents and ask questions about their contents, including requests to compare an uploaded document with another topic or source. The generated answer can combine information from attachments with material found on websites, YouTube, and social links. The free plan supports up to three documents, while the Pro plan provides more advanced upload capabilities.

Q: What are Spaces in Perplexity and how do they work?

Spaces are organized work areas for research focused on a particular topic or collection of sources. A Space can contain multiple conversation threads, uploaded computer files, links, synced material, a custom name, and a description. Users can also add instructions that control response tone or behavior, turning the Space into a reusable knowledge base for related questions.

Q: What features are included in the Perplexity Pro plan?

The Perplexity Pro plan costs $20 per month and provides unlimited Pro Search, deeper research, more advanced file uploads, and connections to Google Drive and Dropbox. It also supports turning research into public Pages, generating AI images, and using Perplexity Labs to build custom apps. The plan is presented as the practical upgrade for users who need consistently stronger answers.

Q: What is Perplexity Comet and which plan includes it?

Perplexity Comet is an AI-powered browser included with the $200 monthly Max plan described in the source. It extends Perplexity beyond a conventional search page by helping users manage browser tabs, summarize webpages, and interact with content visible online. The Max plan also expands access to capabilities available through the Pro plan, including fewer usage limitations.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Perplexity’s free plan provides unlimited basic searches that combine information from multiple websites into a concise answer with citations. Results can include text, images, source lists, process steps, related questions, and follow-up prompts. Users can also narrow searches to the web, academic papers, social discussions, or financial filings.

• Research results can be shared through copied links, made private, or exported as PDF and Microsoft Word documents. Perplexity can also analyze uploaded documents alongside online sources, with the free plan supporting up to three documents. Dictation, mobile voice mode, and customizable Spaces provide additional ways to conduct and organize research.

• The $20 monthly Pro plan offers more Pro Search access, deeper research, advanced uploads, connections to Google Drive and Dropbox, public Pages, AI image generation, and Perplexity Labs for building custom apps. The $200 monthly Max plan expands access further and includes Comet, an AI-powered browser for working with tabs and webpages.