Perplexity AI Complete Tutorial 2026: How to Use the AI Search Tool? Free Version Features, Pro Plan, and Chinese Tips at a Glance

Are you tired of clicking through links one by one to find answers after a Google search? Perplexity AI has completely changed this experience—it directly searches the web, integrates multiple sources, and provides answers in clear paragraphs, complete with citation links for every source so you can verify the credibility of the information at any time.

This article is the latest Perplexity AI Complete Tutorial for 2026, covering everything from how to start with the free version, what Pro Search is, an introduction to the Spaces feature, to the differences between Perplexity, ChatGPT, and Google. Whether you’re hearing about Perplexity for the first time or have been using it for a while and want to go advanced, this guide is for you.

What is Perplexity AI? A New Way to Search in the AI Era

What is Perplexity AI?

Perplexity AI is an AI-driven conversational search engine founded in 2022 by former OpenAI engineer Aravind Srinivas. Its core function is simple: you ask a question, it searches the web in real-time, and then provides a summarized answer with all cited sources listed, allowing you to track the original information.

Unlike traditional search engines, Perplexity doesn’t just give you a page of blue links; and unlike ChatGPT, every answer from Perplexity is backed by real-time web searches, avoiding “hallucinated” answers. As of 2026, Perplexity AI’s monthly active users have exceeded 100 million, making it one of the favorite AI tools for knowledge workers.

Why are more people replacing Google with Perplexity?

There are several main reasons to use Perplexity AI: First, no ad interference—your search results aren’t polluted by sponsored ads; second, direct answer integration—no need to open a dozen links to piece things together yourself; third, transparent sources—every statement comes with a citation, allowing you to verify rather than blindly trust the AI. For students, researchers, and content creators, this is a massive boost in productivity.

How to Use Perplexity AI? Free Version 4-Step Complete Tutorial

Perplexity AI allows you to use its core functions completely for free. Here is the complete tutorial for the free version:

Step 1: Go to the official website and create an account

Go to perplexity.ai. You can choose to “use directly without logging in” (with usage limits) or register for free with a Google / Apple / Email account. It is recommended to create an account to save your search history and receive 5 free Pro Search deep searches daily. Additionally, official apps are available for iOS and Android for convenient mobile use.

Step 2: Enter your question

Enter your question in the search box on the homepage. It supports multiple languages including Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and English. You don’t need to use just keywords like in Google—Perplexity understands natural language. You can ask specific questions like “How has Taiwan’s consumer price index changed in 2026 compared to 2024?” You can also upload PDF documents or images for Perplexity to analyze (Pro version features are more complete).

Step 3: Select search mode

Perplexity offers three search modes: Search is the basic mode for quick answers to general questions; Pro Search will ask clarifying questions before conducting deeper research, suitable for complex queries (5 times daily for free users); Research is a Pro-exclusive feature that performs deep autonomous research for several minutes, similar to an AI researcher organizing literature for you. General users will find the “Search” mode sufficient, switching to “Pro Search” for complex problems.

Step 4: View answers, verify sources, and follow up

Perplexity’s answer page displays an integrated summary with “Sources” tags listing all cited webpages. Get into the habit of clicking sources to verify information, especially before making important medical, legal, or financial decisions. You can continue to ask follow-up questions in the same chat box; Perplexity remembers the context for continuous conversational exploration.

Detailed Explanation of Perplexity AI’s Five Core Features

1. Conversational Search

This is the foundation of Perplexity and the most used feature. Think of it as a smart librarian who doesn’t just give you a list of books (links) but reads, organizes, and explains them to you. Conversational search supports continuous follow-ups, making it ideal for diving deep into a topic layer by layer.

2. Pro Search Deep Search

Pro Search is Perplexity’s advanced search mode. Once activated, it asks 2-3 clarifying questions to confirm your true needs before conducting a broader web search and integrating more sources. The quality of results is significantly better than standard search, especially for questions requiring “comparison of different viewpoints” or “deep analysis.” Free users get 5 uses per day, while Pro subscribers get unlimited access.

3. Spaces Knowledge Base

Spaces is a major feature launched in 2025, acting like a dedicated AI knowledge base. You can upload documents, set AI response styles, and define knowledge scopes within a Space, making Perplexity your “exclusive consultant”—for example, creating a “Marketing Strategy Space” where you upload product data and ask Perplexity to design ad campaigns specifically for your product. This feature requires a Pro subscription.

4. Multimodal Input (Images, PDFs)

Perplexity supports direct uploads of images and PDF files for analysis. For instance, you can take a photo of a product label and ask, “Is this ingredient safe for someone with allergies?” or upload an English contract and ask for a summary of key terms in Chinese. Image uploads are limited in the free version, and PDF analysis is a Pro feature.

5. AI Model Selection (GPT-4o, Claude Sonnet, Sonar)

Pro users can switch the underlying AI model, currently supporting Sonar Large (Perplexity’s own), GPT-4o (OpenAI), Claude 3.5 Sonnet (Anthropic), and more. Different models have different strengths—Claude 3.5 Sonnet excels in long-form analysis and writing quality, GPT-4o is stronger in multimodality (image understanding), and Sonar Large is optimized for search integration.

Perplexity AI Free vs. Pro Plan Comparison (Including Pricing)

Perplexity AI offers a Free version and a Pro paid version. Here is a detailed comparison:

The Free Version provides very complete basic functions: unlimited standard searches, 5 Pro Searches per day, and the basic Sonar model. For general users, the free version is actually quite sufficient.

The Pro Version ($20 USD/month, approx. NT$640) mainly adds: unlimited Pro Search, Research mode, Spaces feature, PDF/image uploads, and the ability to switch to advanced AI models (GPT-4o, Claude 3.5 Sonnet). If you are a power user, researcher, or someone who needs deep analysis daily, the ROI of the Pro version is quite high.

Perplexity AI vs. ChatGPT vs. Google: Which is Better?

These three tools have different positionings; it’s not a matter of “who replaces whom”:

• Use Perplexity: When you need to find real-time information with cited sources, such as: latest news, research questions, comparing product specs, academic references.
• Use ChatGPT: When you need creative writing, code generation, long-form content creation, or tasks requiring multi-turn dialogue for deep thinking.
• Use Google: When you need to find a specific website, compare shopping prices, map navigation, or browse original webpages.

Many people now use all three in their workflow: use Perplexity to quickly understand the big picture, use ChatGPT for deep creation or analysis, and finally use Google to find specific webpages or purchase links.

Perplexity AI Chinese Usage Tips (5 Practical Tips)

As a user in Taiwan, here are my practical tips for using Perplexity AI in Traditional Chinese:

Tip 1: Request “Traditional Chinese Response”

Add “Please answer in Traditional Chinese” at the end of your question, and Perplexity will switch its output. If you’ve created an account, you can also adjust the default language in settings so you don’t have to add this phrase every time.

Tip 2: Use “Follow-ups” for Deep Research

Don’t just stop after one question. Perplexity is excellent at maintaining context. You can start by asking “Current state of Taiwan’s AI industry,” then follow up with “Please detail TSMC’s strategy in AI chips,” and then “What are the advantages compared to Samsung?”—diving deep layer by layer is much more efficient than searching from scratch each time.

Tip 3: Specify Source Types

You can tell Perplexity to only search specific sources, such as: “Please only refer to academic papers,” “Only check news from the last 3 months,” or “Please cite reports from Taiwan media.” This significantly improves the quality and relevance of search results.

Tip 4: Use it to Learn English Vocabulary and Grammar

Perplexity has rich English sources, making it great for learning English. For example, ask “How is the word ‘leverage’ used in a business context? Please provide 3 example sentences and explanations.” It will provide more complete and contextual explanations than a dictionary.

Tip 5: How to Save Pro Search Quota in the Free Version

The free version only has 5 Pro Searches per day. It’s recommended to save complex questions for Pro Search and use standard Search for simple queries. Also, think through the core of your question before using Pro Search to avoid wasting quota by changing your mind halfway through.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Perplexity AI free?

Yes, Perplexity AI has a full free version that allows for unlimited standard searches and 5 Pro Searches per day. No credit card or payment info is required. You only need to upgrade to Pro ($20/month) if you need unlimited Pro Search, Research features, Spaces, or advanced AI models.

Are Perplexity AI’s answers accurate?

Perplexity’s answers are based on real-time web searches, making it less prone to “hallucinations” (making up info) than ChatGPT, as every statement has a corresponding source. However, AI summaries can still contain errors or miss important context. It is recommended to always click the source to confirm the original text before making important decisions.

Which is better, Perplexity AI or ChatGPT?

These two tools have different strengths. Perplexity is better for “searching for information, fact-checking, real-time news, and research with citations”; ChatGPT is better for “creating content, coding, long-form analysis, and multi-turn reasoning.” Most people use both, switching based on the task type.

Can Perplexity AI be used in Chinese?

Absolutely! Perplexity AI supports input and output in both Traditional and Simplified Chinese. You can ask questions in Chinese, and it will respond in Chinese (if it mixes in English, just add “Please answer in Traditional Chinese”). While Chinese search quality is slightly lower than English, it is more than sufficient for daily use.

Is Perplexity AI Pro worth paying for?

For students, researchers, content creators, and knowledge workers, the ROI of the Pro version is high. Unlimited Pro Search and Research modes can significantly boost research efficiency, Spaces allows you to build a personal knowledge base, and it includes access to top-tier models like GPT-4o and Claude Sonnet. If you search for data and write reports daily, the cost is very reasonable. If unsure, try the free version for a month first.

Conclusion: Is Perplexity AI Worth Trying?

My answer is yes. Perplexity AI represents a new direction for search engines—not replacing Google, but complementing Google’s shortcomings in “answering questions directly.” it makes searching feel more like talking to a knowledgeable assistant rather than flipping through an index catalog.

The free version is already very complete. I suggest you go to perplexity.ai today and try asking it a question you’ve had recently to feel the difference from traditional search. If you’re already using ChatGPT, adding Perplexity to your workflow will significantly boost your information gathering efficiency.

If you’re interested in other AI tools, feel free to read our other articles:

• Claude vs ChatGPT 2026 Complete Comparison
• Gemini vs ChatGPT 2026 Complete Comparison
• ChatGPT 4o Complete Tutorial 2026