How to use Perplexity: a beginner's guide for 2026

How do you use Perplexity?

To use Perplexity, go to perplexity.ai (or the app), ask a question in plain language, and read the answer along with its cited sources. Unlike a standard chatbot, Perplexity is an answer engine: it searches the live web and returns a written answer with inline links to where the information came from. It's free to start, and the citations are the whole point — they let you verify what it tells you.

Getting started with Perplexity

1. Go to perplexity.ai or open the app — you can start without an account, though signing up unlocks more.
2. Ask a real question, e.g. "What are the main differences between the latest iPhone and Pixel?"
3. Read the answer and click the sources to confirm the details, then ask follow-ups to go deeper.

No technical skills needed — see learning AI without coding.

Why Perplexity's citations matter

Most AI chatbots answer from memory, which is why they can make things up. Perplexity grounds its answers in live web results and shows the sources — a technique called retrieval-augmented generation. That makes it far easier to trust, because you can check the original page in one click. For anything important, do exactly that.

What is Perplexity best at?

• Research — getting a sourced overview of a topic fast.
• Fact-finding — questions where you need to verify the answer.
• Current events — it searches the live web.
• Comparisons and 'what's the best…' questions with sources attached.

Dig deeper at learn Perplexity.

Perplexity vs ChatGPT: which should you use?

Use Perplexity to research and verify; use ChatGPT to create and do. They're complementary — many people research in Perplexity, then write or build in ChatGPT. The full breakdown is in ChatGPT vs Perplexity. Whatever you use, the skill of asking well and checking answers — AI fluency — matters most. Check yours with the free AI IQ test.