What is Perplexity AI? A New Search Engine Powered by AI

Perplexity AI grabbed my attention the moment I realized I could ditch endless scrolling through search results.

It’s not just another tool—it’s a fresh take on finding answers online, blending artificial intelligence with a user-friendly design.

I’ve spent years relying on Google, but lately, I’ve questioned its cluttered results and sponsored links.

That’s when I stumbled across Perplexity AI, a search engine that promises clarity over chaos.

Unlike traditional platforms, it summarizes information, cites sources, and even lets me dig deeper with follow-up questions.

Imagine a search tool that feels like a conversation with a knowledgeable friend— that’s the vibe I get here.

In this deep dive, I’ll walk you through my experience with Perplexity AI step by step.

By the end, you’ll see why it’s becoming my go-to for everything from quick facts to complex research.

We strongly recommend that you check out our guide on how to take advantage of AI in today’s passive income economy.

AI Search Engine: Comparing Perplexity AI to Google

I started my journey by pitting Perplexity AI against Google with a simple question: “Where will AI be in 30 years?”

On Google, I typed it in and got a familiar flood of links—some helpful, others just ads masquerading as answers.

I’d have to sift through articles, blogs, and sponsored posts, wondering which ones I could trust.

It’s a process I’ve done a million times, but it’s exhausting when I just want a clear response.

Then I flipped over to Perplexity AI and asked the same thing, using the free version to keep it fair.

Right away, it handed me a concise summary, pulling from credible sources it listed right there for me to check.

No digging required—it felt like the tool did the heavy lifting, presenting the info in a way I could actually absorb.

This side-by-side showed me how Perplexity AI could save time and cut through the noise of traditional search engines.

Getting Started with Perplexity AI

Curious to explore more, I decided to set up Perplexity AI on my laptop using Google Chrome.

It’s as simple as heading to their website—perplexity.ai—and you’re in.

I noticed options to download apps for iOS or Android, which is great for searching on the go.

There’s even an extension I could add to my browser, making it a seamless part of my workflow.

You don’t need an account to start asking questions, which I loved for its no-fuss approach.

I tested it with “How to tune a piano,” and it delivered a neat breakdown with sources linked at the top.

But here’s the catch—without signing up, my searches wouldn’t save, and I’d miss out on extra features.

So, I created an account with my Google login, and in seconds, I was ready to unlock Perplexity AI’s full potential.

AI Research Tools: Exploring the Free Version

Now logged in, I asked, “How intelligent are dolphins?” to see what the free version could do.

Perplexity AI didn’t just spit out a generic answer—it gave me a detailed summary with numbered citations.

I clicked one, and it took me straight to an article about dolphin cognition, letting me verify the info myself.

On the side, I spotted options to search images or videos, though some features were locked behind the Pro tier.

What stood out was the “Related” section—suggested questions like “What are dolphin communication methods?”

It’s like the tool knew I’d want to dive deeper and handed me a roadmap to keep exploring.

Every search I made got stored in my library, so I could revisit them anytime, which is perfect for ongoing projects.

This free version already felt like a leap forward from the scattered results I’d get elsewhere.

Digging Deeper with Perplexity AI Features

Next, I wanted to push Perplexity AI further and asked, “What are the latest advances in AI from March 2024?”

The response pulled fresh data, citing articles from that exact timeframe, which blew my mind.

Older AI tools I’ve tried—like free ChatGPT—stop at a cutoff date, but this felt current and alive.

I followed up with a specific request: “Create a recipe with 40g protein, 5g fiber, chicken, veggies, and spice.”

In moments, it delivered a “Spicy Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry” recipe, complete with instructions.

No sources were listed this time, so I asked, “What are the sources?” and it linked me to nutrition sites.

I pictured a sizzling pan of chicken, peppers, and broccoli, the heat from cayenne tingling my taste buds.

Perplexity AI’s ability to tailor answers like this made it feel less like a tool and more like a creative partner.

Uploading Files for Smarter Insights

One feature I couldn’t wait to try was uploading files—imagine dropping a 50-page PDF and getting it summarized.

I grabbed a hefty report on AI trends from my desktop and dragged it into Perplexity AI’s upload box.

I asked, “Summarize this file,” and it churned through, delivering a tight conclusion about AI’s future impact.

Then I got specific: “What industries will be affected by AI?”—it listed healthcare, education, and more, all from the PDF.

I could see a hospital using AI diagnostics or a classroom with smart tutors, all drawn from that one document.

The free version limits you to three uploads a day, but even that felt generous for casual use.

It’s like having a research assistant who reads everything for you and highlights the good stuff.

This turned Perplexity AI into a powerhouse for anyone juggling dense reports or articles.

AI Research Tools: Academic Focus

For a more scholarly test, I switched the focus to “Academic” and asked, “How can higher education integrate AI into curricula?”

The response was a goldmine—summarized insights from journals and papers, all linked for me to explore.

I imagined professors weaving AI into lessons, maybe coding classes with real-time feedback tools.

Each citation was a gateway to a study, letting me fact-check or dive into the nitty-gritty details.

I could ask follow-ups like, “What are the challenges?” and it’d keep pulling from academic sources.

This precision made Perplexity AI feel tailor-made for students or researchers drowning in papers.

It’s not just about finding answers—it’s about finding the right answers, backed by solid evidence.

Google’s broad net suddenly seemed sloppy compared to this focused, scholarly approach.

Upgrading to Perplexity AI Pro

Ready to level up, I switched to the Pro version to see what extra horsepower it offered.

I re-asked my recipe question, and this time, Perplexity AI prompted me: “Under 30 minutes or over?”

I picked “30-60 minutes,” and it refined the recipe, adding a time filter I hadn’t even considered.

Then I tested the image generator—typing “Spicy chicken stir-fry photo” produced a vivid scene.

I saw golden chicken chunks, red peppers, and green broccoli in a glossy, spicy sauce—almost good enough to eat.

For academic searches, Pro asked me to specify—like “business-focused curricula”—making results razor-sharp.

The Pro tier feels like Perplexity AI flexing its muscles, anticipating my needs before I voice them.

It’s pricier, but for power users, the extra tools and precision could be worth every penny.

Creating Content with Perplexity AI

I wondered if Perplexity AI could help me write, so I tasked it with a blog post: “AI advancements in the next five years for teachers.”

I set the focus to “K-12,” and it churned out a piece titled “Navigating the Future: AI Advancements for Educators.”

The article broke down AI’s role in classrooms—think virtual tutors or automated grading—all cited from web sources.

I could see a teacher using AI to personalize lessons, kids beaming as they master tough concepts.

I clicked “Generate Image,” and it painted a classroom with glowing screens and engaged students.

The image wasn’t perfect—maybe too futuristic—but it captured the vibe of tech meeting education.

This content creation feature turned Perplexity AI into a brainstorming buddy, not just a search tool.

It’s a game-changer for anyone needing quick, well-researched drafts with a creative twist.

Organizing with the Library

All these searches were piling up, so I explored Perplexity AI’s library feature.

I created a collection called “Demo AI,” describing it as “collecting info on AI trends.”

Every question I’d asked—like the dolphin one or the recipe—could be dragged into this folder.

I pictured it as a digital filing cabinet, neatly organizing my scattered thoughts on AI’s future.

It’s sharable too—I could send it to a friend or colleague to collaborate on ideas.

The free version supports this, but Pro users get more searches to build bigger collections.

It’s a small touch, but it made Perplexity AI feel like a hub for long-term projects, not just one-off queries.

This organization kept me hooked, turning chaos into a structured research journey.

Final Thoughts: Is Perplexity AI Worth It?

After weeks of tinkering, I’m sold on Perplexity AI as more than just a search engine—it’s a thinking tool.

It’s faster than Google at cutting through fluff, and its AI research tools elevate it beyond basic lookups.

I see myself using it for recipes one day, academic deep dives the next, all with sources I can trust.

Sure, Google’s still in my life—it’s hard to break old habits—but Perplexity AI is carving out its own space.

The free version is a fantastic start, and Pro takes it to a level that feels almost futuristic.

I picture a world where search engines evolve to mimic this clarity and depth—maybe Google will catch up.

For now, Perplexity AI saves me time, sharpens my focus, and makes research feel like an adventure.

So, do you think it could replace your go-to search? I’m betting once you try it, you’ll wonder how you managed without it.

We strongly recommend that you check out our guide on how to take advantage of AI in today’s passive income economy.