Perplexity.ai, touted as “where knowledge begins” is a research engine that utilizes AI and natural language predictive text to answer questions. Similar to Google SGE, it cites sources (with direct links) and has a “follow up” chat section. Unlike Google though, there is a paid Pro version that allows you to top into a “smarter AI and more Pro Search” and generate images for $20 / month. (I haven’t tried that.)
What’s welcome about Perplexity.ai is the clean interface and lack of ads. With your “ask anything” prompt, you can then choose a “Focus” setting of:
- All (Search across the entire interent)
- Academic (Search published academic papers)
- Writing
- Wolfram | Alpha (Computational knowledge engine)
- YouTube
- Reddit (Search for discussions and opinions)
Another cool tool is the Library, which stores all of your sources and allows you tap back into them for the answers. You can also group your searches in to Collections and then create Secret or Shareable links to them.
If you’re looking for a unique break from Google and give your searches a collective stronger purpose, the Perplexity.ai free version is worth a spin.
