How to Use Perplexity

A beginner-friendly guide to getting started with Perplexity in 2026.

Price Free plan available
Best For researchers, knowledge workers, students
Rating ★★★★★ 4.6/5

Getting Started: Step by Step

1

Create your Perplexity account

Visit Perplexity's website and sign up for a free account. You'll need an email address to get started.

2

Set up your workspace

Once signed in, configure your Perplexity workspace. Set your preferences, invite team members if needed, and customize the interface to match your workflow.

3

Explore ai-search

One of Perplexity's key features is ai-search. Navigate to this feature and experiment with it to understand how it fits into your workflow.

4

Explore source-citations

One of Perplexity's key features is source-citations. Navigate to this feature and experiment with it to understand how it fits into your workflow.

5

Explore follow-up-questions

One of Perplexity's key features is follow-up-questions. Navigate to this feature and experiment with it to understand how it fits into your workflow.

6

Integrate with your existing tools

Connect Perplexity with the other tools you use daily. Most integrations can be set up in the settings or integrations panel.

7

Start using it for real work

Now that you're set up, start using Perplexity for actual tasks. The best way to learn is by doing — don't worry about getting everything perfect right away.

Pro Tips

  • Start with the free plan or trial to explore Perplexity's capabilities before committing to a paid subscription.
  • Use keyboard shortcuts to speed up your workflow — most tools have extensive shortcut systems.
  • Check Perplexity's official documentation and community forums for advanced tips and best practices.
  • Review your workflow after 2 weeks of use and adjust your setup based on what's working and what isn't.

Key Features to Explore

ai-search
source-citations
follow-up-questions
collections
pro-search
api

Alternatives to Consider

If Perplexity isn't the right fit, here are some similar tools:

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