Skip to main content
    Step 1 of 6
    AI Guides
    Beginner

    How to Use Perplexity AI for Smarter Web Searches

    Perplexity AI gives you direct answers with cited sources instead of a list of links. Learn how to ask questions, follow up, and save your research.

    4 min read 6 stepsApril 20, 2026Verified April 2026
    1

    Download the app and open it

    ~28s
    On an iPhone, open the App Store and search for "Perplexity AI." On an Android phone, open the Google Play Store and search for the same name. Tap "Get" or "Install," then open the app when it finishes downloading. You can use Perplexity without creating an account, but signing up with your email or Google account lets you save your search history and use Collections.

    Quick Tip

    Quick Tip: You can also use Perplexity in your phone's web browser by going to perplexity.ai — no app required.

    2

    Type your question in plain English

    ~25s
    Tap the search bar at the bottom of the screen and type your question the same way you would ask a person. Full sentences work better than short keyword phrases. For example, "What are the side effects of taking ibuprofen with blood pressure medication?" will give you a more useful answer than just "ibuprofen blood pressure."

    Quick Tip

    Quick Tip: Be as specific as possible. The more detail you give, the more focused the answer will be.

    3

    Read the answer and check the sources

    ~27s
    Perplexity will display a written summary answer at the top of the screen. Below the answer, you will see numbered source links — these are the actual web pages Perplexity used to build its answer. Tap any source number to open that website and verify the information yourself. Checking sources is always a good habit, especially for health or financial topics.

    Warning

    Always verify important health, legal, or financial information with a qualified professional. AI can make mistakes or cite outdated sources.

    4

    Ask follow-up questions to go deeper

    ~19s
    After reading an answer, type another related question in the same conversation thread. Perplexity remembers the context of your previous question and will build on it. For example, after asking about medication side effects, you might follow up with "Is it safe for someone over 65?" and Perplexity will give you a more targeted response.
    5

    Try Focus modes for specialized searches

    ~26s
    Tap the Focus button (usually shown as a grid or filter icon near the search bar) to switch between modes. Academic searches scholarly articles and research papers. YouTube surfaces relevant video results. Writing mode helps you compose emails or short documents. Choosing the right Focus mode helps you get better results for your specific need.

    Quick Tip

    Quick Tip: If you are researching a health topic, Academic mode often surfaces more reliable, evidence-based information than a general web search.

    6

    Save research to Collections

    ~19s
    Tap the bookmark or save icon on any answer to add it to a Collection. You can create different Collections for different topics — one for travel research, one for a health question you are tracking, one for comparing products before buying. Tap the Collections tab in the app to view and revisit everything you have saved.

    You Did It!

    You've completed: How to Use Perplexity AI for Smarter Web Searches

    Need more help? Get Expert Help from a TekSure Tech

    When you type a question into a regular search engine, you get a long list of links and have to click through several websites to piece together an answer. Perplexity AI works differently. You ask it a question in plain English and it reads the web for you, then gives you a clear answer with links to its sources right there on the same page.

    Perplexity is available as a free app for iPhone and Android, and you can also use it in any web browser at perplexity.ai. The free version is very capable for everyday questions. A paid Pro plan unlocks faster AI models and more searches per day, but you can get a lot done without it.

    When you type a question, Perplexity searches the web in real time and writes a summary based on what it finds. At the bottom of every answer you will see numbered source links — those are the actual websites it pulled information from. You can tap any source to read the original article.

    One of the most useful features is follow-up questions. After you get an answer, you can ask a related question and Perplexity remembers what you were just talking about. This lets you dig deeper into a topic without starting over each time.

    Collections let you save answers and research into organized folders. If you are planning a trip, researching a medical condition, or comparing products, you can save everything to one Collection and come back later.

    Focus modes let you tell Perplexity where to search. Academic mode searches peer-reviewed research papers. YouTube mode finds relevant videos. Writing mode helps you draft text. These modes help you get more targeted results for whatever you are working on.

    Was this guide helpful?

    Your feedback helps us make TekSure better for everyone.

    Want to rate with stars?

    Still have questions?

    Ask TekBrain a follow-up question about this guide. It’s free, no sign-up needed, and the answer will be in plain English.

    Ask TekBrain a follow-upBrowse common questions
    Perplexity
    AI search
    research
    chatbot
    questions

    Official Resources

    Google AI OverviewOpenAI — ChatGPT HelpAARP on Artificial Intelligence

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

    ← Previous

    Buy Discounted Gift Cards with Raise to Save Money

    Next →

    Getting Started with Google Gemini on Your Phone

    Still stuck? Let a pro handle it.

    Our verified technicians can fix this issue for you — remotely or in person.

    Book a Verified Tech How It Works

    Related Guides

    More from AI Guides

    What Is AI? A Plain-English Explanation for Everyday People

    Artificial intelligence is everywhere — but what actually is it? This beginner-friendly guide explains AI, how it works, and what it means for you.

    4 min read

    Getting Started with ChatGPT

    Create an account, send your first prompt, and learn the basics of conversing with ChatGPT.

    1 min read

    How to Write Good AI Prompts

    Master the art of prompt engineering to get better, more useful responses from any AI chatbot.

    1 min read

    How to Use Perplexity AI for Smarter Web Searches — Step-by-Step Guide | TekSure