Perplexity Cheat Sheet
A quick reference for Perplexity, the AI answer engine: its search modes, Focus, Spaces, citations, and how to get accurate, well-sourced answers.
Search modes
| Feature | Description | Example / tip |
|---|---|---|
| A fast, cited answer to a straightforward question. | 'best budget mic for podcasts' | |
| Asks clarifying questions and digs deeper across more sources. | For research and comparisons | |
| Runs a multi-step investigation and returns a structured, cited report. | 'State of AI video tools in 2026' | |
| On Pro you can choose the underlying AI model for an answer. | Switch models for tough questions |
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Focus & organization
| Feature | Description | Example / tip |
|---|---|---|
| Limit a search to a source type - web, academic, video, social or math. | Focus: Academic for papers | |
| Group related threads and upload your own files to search against. | A Space per project or client | |
| Ask questions across PDFs and documents you provide. | 'Summarize these 3 reports' | |
| Threads keep context, so you can drill down step by step. | 'Now compare the top two' |
Getting reliable answers
| Feature | Description | Example / tip |
|---|---|---|
| Every answer links its sources - open them to verify. | Click through before you trust it | |
| Add the constraints that matter: time, place, budget, use case. | '...under $200, for 2026' | |
| It's strongest as a fast way to surface and cite sources. | Gather sources, then read them |
Frequently asked questions
What is Perplexity?
Perplexity is an AI answer engine: instead of a list of links, it gives a direct, written answer with inline citations to the sources it used, so you can quickly verify where the information came from.
What's the difference between Search, Pro Search and Deep Research?
Search gives a fast cited answer to a simple question. Pro Search asks clarifying questions and looks across more sources for harder queries. Deep Research runs a multi-step investigation and returns a longer, structured, cited report.
How do I get more reliable answers?
Be specific with constraints like time, budget and use case, use Focus to limit the source type, and always click the citations to confirm. Treat it as a fast way to find and cite sources, then read the important ones yourself.
Is Perplexity free?
There is a free tier with standard search. The Pro plan adds Pro Search, Deep Research, model choice, file uploads and higher limits.
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