What Is Perplexity AI? A Simple Guide

You type a question into Google and get ten blue links. You have to click each one, skim the page, and piece together an answer yourself. Perplexity AI skips all of that.

Instead of links, it gives you a clear written answer. Right there on the page. And it tells you exactly which websites it pulled that information from, so you can check the sources yourself.

We've been using Perplexity regularly at WellWired since late 2024, and it's become one of our go-to tools for research. Here's how it works.

What is Perplexity AI, exactly?

Perplexity AI is a website (and free app) that combines a traditional search engine with an AI writing tool. When you ask it a question, it searches the web in real time, reads several relevant pages, and then writes a summary for you.

Think of it as having a research assistant who reads all the articles so you don't have to.

You can find it at perplexity.ai. No account required to get started, though creating a free account lets you ask more questions per day.

How does it differ from Google?

Google's job is to show you the most relevant websites. What you do with those websites is up to you.

Perplexity's job is to actually answer your question. It reads the websites for you and gives you a plain-English summary.

There's another big difference: sources. Every answer Perplexity gives you comes with numbered citations. You can click any number to see the original page it used. This is something Google's standard results don't do.

How is it different from ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is trained on data up to a certain point in time. If you ask it about something that happened last week, it might not know, or it might make something up.

Perplexity searches the web as you ask. This means its answers are current. If there's a news story from this morning, Perplexity can include it. ChatGPT generally cannot.

The trade-off is that Perplexity is less good at creative tasks. Writing a letter, brainstorming ideas, explaining a concept at length? ChatGPT is stronger for those. Looking up facts, recent events, or comparing products? Perplexity has the edge.

Our guide to ChatGPT vs Google covers some of this in more detail too.

What is Perplexity AI good for?

These are the situations where we reach for Perplexity first:

• Researching a topic and wanting a summary before going deeper
• Finding recent news or current prices
• Comparing two things (products, places, options)
• Checking medical or health information, where sources matter
• Getting a quick explanation of something without reading a long article

We've tested it on questions like "What are the best broadband deals in the UK right now?" and "What's the difference between a hip replacement and a hip resurfacing?" In both cases, it gave clear summaries with links to reputable sources.

Step-by-step: using Perplexity for the first time

You don't need to create an account to have a go. Here's how to start.

Step 1. Open a browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari) and go to perplexity.ai.

Step 2. You'll see a search box in the middle of the page. Click on it and type your question in plain English. No need for search tricks or special phrases. Just ask it as you'd ask a friend.

Step 3. Press Enter (or tap the arrow button). Give it a few seconds.

Step 4. Read the answer. You'll see numbered references in the text. On the right side of the screen (or below, on a phone), you'll see a list of the websites it used.

Step 5. If you want to know more, type a follow-up question in the same box. Perplexity remembers what you asked before, so you can build on the conversation.

Reading the sources

This is the feature that sets Perplexity apart, and it's worth using.

Every time you see a small number in the text like [1] or [2], that's a reference to a source. If you click the number, it takes you to the original webpage.

This matters because AI can make mistakes. Seeing where an answer came from lets you check for yourself. If the source is the NHS website or the BBC, you can feel confident. If it's an unfamiliar blog, you might want to look further.

It's a good habit, especially for anything health-related or financial.

The free version vs paid

The free version of Perplexity is genuinely useful. You can ask around five detailed questions per four hours without paying anything.

The paid version, called Perplexity Pro, costs around £16 per month and gives you unlimited questions, access to more powerful AI models, and better image generation. For most people reading this, the free version is more than enough to start.

A few things to watch out for

Perplexity is good, but it's not perfect. Here are three things to keep in mind.

It can still be wrong. AI summarises and sometimes misreads a source. If the answer seems surprising, check the sources yourself.

It's not ideal for personal advice. "Should I take this medication with that one?" is a question for your GP, not any AI. Use it for general information, not personal medical decisions.

It's not always the freshest. For very recent breaking news (the last hour or two), BBC News or Google News will often be faster.

Our guide to staying safe with AI has more on how to use these tools without getting caught out.

Is Perplexity worth trying?

Yes, if you often find yourself drowning in search results. It cuts through the noise and gets to the point faster.

It's not a replacement for Google. Think of it as a different tool for different jobs. When you want to find a local shop or buy something, use Google. When you want to understand something, research something, or compare your options, try Perplexity.

Go to perplexity.ai and ask it one question you've been curious about. That's the quickest way to see whether it works for you.

Helpful links for beginners

• What is AI? A plain-English explanation of what artificial intelligence actually is.
• What is ChatGPT? How ChatGPT works and what it's good for.
• ChatGPT vs Google: when to use which
• What is Google Gemini?
• Try AI now Start with a simple AI tool, no setup needed.
• Staying safe with AI How to use these tools without sharing too much.
• Glossary of AI terms Plain-English definitions for confusing words.
• Perplexity AI Try it yourself, free, no account needed.

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