Navigating Perplexity AI: A Guide to Using the Platform Efficiently

Perplexity AI offers an intuitive platform for accessing information through advanced natural language processing. With features tailored for both casual and professional users, here’s how to make the most of Perplexity AI.



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Getting Started

  • Accessing Perplexity AI You can use Perplexity AI directly by visiting its website. While you can perform searches without an account, creating a free account allows you to enjoy additional features like saving searches and managing collections.

  • Creating an Account Setting up an account is quick and can be done with your email. An account gives you access to more personalized options, allowing you to save queries, organize searches, and access Pro features if you upgrade.

Understanding the Interface

Main Sections

  • Home: This is the primary search area. Here, you can start queries using a chat-style interface that supports conversational interactions with Perplexity.

  • Discover: Explore trending topics and news related to AI and technology, helping you stay current with popular themes.

  • Library: Your saved searches, collections, and recent threads can be found here for easy reference and organization.

Search Functionality

Enter a question in the search bar, and Perplexity uses large language models (LLMs) to deliver contextually relevant answers, often with citations from reliable sources. The chat-like search bar supports follow-up questions, allowing for deeper exploration.


Using Advanced Features

Customizable Search Parameters

Refine searches by choosing from various categories like academic papers, Reddit discussions, or multimedia content. This helps tailor responses to your specific needs.

Follow-Up Questions

After receiving an initial answer, you can ask follow-up questions to further clarify or expand on a topic, making it feel more like a conversation with an expert.

Collections

Organize related searches into collections to keep them accessible for later. This is particularly useful for research projects or ongoing inquiries.


Exploring Additional Tools

  • Writing Mode: Request Perplexity to generate content like essays, summaries, or reports based on prompts you provide.
  • Pro Features: Perplexity Pro offers enhanced features like unlimited access to the Copilot, which provides deeper insights and support for complex queries.

Tips for Effective Use

  • Be Specific: The more detail you include in your query, the more relevant the response will be.

  • Use Follow-Ups: Clarify or expand on your initial question to extract more in-depth information.

  • Explore Discover: Use the Discover section to find new topics or trends, which could lead to interesting research or insights.

Navigating the Side Menus

Left Side Menu

  • New Thread: Start a fresh conversation with Perplexity. Each thread includes your question, follow-ups, and responses.
  • Home: Return to the main search interface.
  • Discover: View trending topics from across the internet.
  • Library: Access saved threads, queries, and collections.
  • Profile: Manage your username, avatar, and privacy settings.

Right Side Menu

  • Search Images/Videos: Request relevant images or videos for your query.
  • Generate Image: Available for Pro users, this feature generates images using AI based on your prompt.

Managing Queries

  • Pro Search: Toggle this on for advanced searches that deliver more deeply researched answers.

  • Focus Modes: Choose specific modes like Reddit, Academic, or YouTube, depending on the type of information you seek.

  • Rewrite and Edit Query: Rewrite your query using a different model (Pro users only), or rephrase your query to adjust and refine the response.

  • Attach Button: Add images, text, or PDFs (up to 25 MB) to a thread to provide additional context for your search.

Managing Responses

  • Clipboard: Copy a response along with its sources.
  • More Options
    • View Sources: Check and manage sources; you can delete sources you find irrelevant, and the answer will be reformulated.
    • Report: Report any inaccurate answers to help improve response quality.
    • Debugger: Manage hotkeys and debug queries for more refined searches.

Sharing and Saving Threads

  • Convert to a Page: Turn a thread into a shareable, visually appealing web page with the “Convert to Page” button.
  • Share and Copy Buttons: Share a thread with others or copy the entire conversation, including all questions and responses.

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