Perplexity isn’t “just another chatbot.” It’s built like an answer engine: you ask a question, it searches the web, and it replies with citations so you can verify the sources.
The trick is learning which mode, which source, and which workflow to use—because that’s where the “pro” results come from.
The 60-second “Pro” workflow (do this every time)
- Start narrow, not broad
Instead of “Explain POCSO privacy,” ask:
“Under the POCSO Act, what provisions restrict disclosure of a child victim’s identity in India? Summarize + cite primary sources.” - Pick the right mode (this is the biggest lever)
Perplexity has multiple Search Modes (more below). - Tell it what sources to use (web vs academic vs finance vs your files)
You can narrow searches to specific content types like Academic, Finance, or your own files. - Force structure
Ask for “Key points → Evidence → Caveats → What to do next.” This reduces fluff and hallucinations. - Verify fast
Ask: “List the top 5 claims you made and the citation for each.”
Search Modes: the feature people underuse the most
Perplexity’s modes aren’t cosmetic—they change how the system researches and answers.
1) Best (default)
Good for quick lookups. If you want speed over depth, stay here.
2) Pro Search (the “smart interview” mode)
Pro Search is designed to go beyond basic search and handle complex, ambiguous queries—plus it can interpret code and narrow results by content types (Academic, Finance, your files, etc.).
Pro move: If the answer feels generic, say: “Ask me 3 clarifying questions first, then answer.”
3) Reasoning mode (for multi-step thinking)
Best when your question needs breaking down (comparisons, tradeoffs, planning).
4) Research mode (when you want a mini-report)
Research mode runs many searches, reads lots of sources, and produces a comprehensive report. It also supports exporting (PDF/doc) and sharing via Pages (where available).
Pro move: Use Research when accuracy matters more than speed (policies, health topics, legal summaries, market research).
5) Learn Mode (quietly powerful)
Learn Mode is optimized for step-by-step learning instead of just dumping an answer.
Pro move: “Teach me this like I’m new. Then quiz me with 5 questions.”
6) Create Files & Apps (formerly “Labs”) — the sleeper feature
This mode can produce complete deliverables: reports, spreadsheets, dashboards, presentations, even simple web apps—using deep browsing, code execution, and asset creation.
It can also run longer projects while you monitor progress, pause, and export.
Pro move: “Create a one-page executive summary + a table + a slide outline from the same research.”
Threads, History, and “searching your own brain”
A Thread is basically your saved research conversation. Paid users can pick modes/models/sources, attach files, and even dictate prompts.
In History/Library you can search threads, sort them, and manage them (including threads created via the Comet browser).
Pro moves
- Rename key threads like “POCSO chapter 2 — disclosure rules” so you can find them later.
- Re-open a thread and say: “Continue, but only using sources published after 2022.”
Spaces: turn Perplexity into a project workspace
Spaces let you organize threads by topic/project and create a “knowledge hub” with custom AI instructions plus web + file search capabilities.
On paid plans, Spaces can support lots of uploads per Space (limits depend on plan).
Pro moves
- Create one Space per project (Work, Study, Content, Travel).
- Add “house rules” to the Space instructions: tone, formatting, citation preference, what sources to trust, what to avoid.
Bonus: Custom Web Sources (advanced)
Perplexity has also experimented with letting you tailor which websites it searches inside Spaces (handy for niche work), though availability/behavior can vary by rollout.
File uploads: where most people use it wrong
Uploading isn’t just “attach a PDF and pray.” If you want clean results:
The right way
- Upload a file and ask a precise question:
“From this PDF, extract the definition section and list exceptions with page numbers.”
What Perplexity supports (and the gotchas)
- It supports file uploads and analysis for common types like PDFs and spreadsheets (plan limits apply).
- File size limits exist (example: uploads up to ~40MB are referenced in their help docs; limits can vary by plan/tier).
- Retention also varies by plan: Perplexity notes different retention windows (often measured in days/weeks) depending on tier.
Pro move: Ask it to cite where in the file it found the answer (page/section).
Internal Knowledge Search (IKS): “your files + the web” in one answer
Perplexity includes an Internal Knowledge Search concept—so your query can draw from your uploaded materials alongside web search (depending on plan and setup).
This is huge for:
- policy comparisons
- meeting notes + current regulations
- research writing with your own references
Tasks: set Perplexity to work while you sleep
Perplexity Tasks lets you schedule recurring alerts/reports on a topic and receive updates by email or push notification. Each Task is saved as a Thread automatically.
Pro moves
- “Every Monday 8am: summarize the top 10 developments in [topic] with citations.”
- “Daily: track price/news changes for [product] and alert me only if something changed.”
Model upgrades most users never touch
With Pro/Max you can access multiple advanced models and swap models per thread.
Model Council (Max / Enterprise Max)
Model Council runs the same query across three models and synthesizes one unified answer—great for reducing single-model blind spots.
Pro move: Use Model Council when you’re making a high-stakes decision (policy, medical research, contracts, compliance).
Memory: Perplexity can remember preferences (if you let it)
Perplexity has a Memory / Personal Search feature that can remember details between conversations for more personalized answers.
Pro move: Keep memory “clean” by giving it stable preferences (“Use simple language. Always include citations.”).
Privacy control many people don’t know exists
Perplexity says Free/Pro/Max users can control whether their data is used for model training via an AI data retention toggle in settings, while enterprise data is not used for training.
Mobile power features: Voice Assistant + action support
On mobile, Perplexity offers an Assistant that supports actions across certain apps (for example, writing in email/messages, browser usage, and other integrations listed in their docs).
Pro move: Use voice to capture messy thoughts, then ask: “Turn this into a clean outline + a checklist.”
(Also, some plans include “Comet” experiences; features can vary by platform and subscription.)
Pages: a feature people ask for—currently in flux
Perplexity Pages was built to convert research into shareable articles, but Perplexity notes the “Create page” feature is temporarily retired, with “Convert to Page” returning later with enhancements.
Shopping & niche extras (region-dependent)
- Instant Buy lets U.S.-based users purchase products directly in Perplexity (availability is region-specific).
- Perplexity has run region-specific promos (for example, an India promotion with Bharti Airtel that ended on Jan 16, 2026).
Enterprise-only “secret weapon”: Connectors + MCPs
If you’re on an org plan, connectors can pull knowledge from tools like Atlassian (Confluence) and other services—some connectors can even create/update content directly (example: Confluence pages).
And for advanced setups: MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers let paid users connect external tools/apps to Perplexity; Perplexity documents local MCP support (notably on macOS via the Mac app) and describes remote MCP as coming soon.
Copy-paste “Pro prompts” (these instantly upgrade results)
- The Clarifier “Before answering, ask me 3 questions that would improve accuracy.”
- The Source Filter “Answer using Academic sources only. If you’re unsure, say so.”
- The Fact-Check “List your 5 key claims and attach one citation to each.”
- The Comparison “Compare A vs B in a table: definition, pros/cons, best use cases, risks, and final recommendation.”
- The Research Brief “Create a research plan first (5 steps), then execute it and write a report.”
- The File-First “Use the attached PDF as the primary source. Only use the web to fill gaps.”
- The Output Pack “Give me: (1) 8-bullet summary (2) 300-word explanation (3) 5 FAQs (4) 10 headline ideas.”
- The Content Creator “Turn this into a blog outline with H2/H3 headings, then write in simple language.”
Quick FAQ
Is Pro Search different from Research mode?
Yes—Pro Search is a guided, interactive research-style search; Research mode is designed to run deeper and generate a more comprehensive report automatically.
Can Perplexity analyze files?
Yes, including PDFs/spreadsheets and other file types—limits depend on plan and settings.
Can I control what Perplexity searches?
You can narrow source types (like Academic/Finance/your files), and Spaces add a layer of project-level organization and instructions.
What’s the best way to avoid wrong answers?
Use citations aggressively, ask for claim-by-claim verification, and switch to Research/Reasoning for complex topics.
What’s the “most hidden” power feature?
Create Files & Apps + Tasks: one generates full deliverables, the other automates recurring updates.
