Perplexity

Perplexity AI is an AI-chat-based conversational search engine, aiming to provide precise and accurate answers to a wide range of topics. It harnesses OpenAI's GPT-3.5, combined with a large language model, utilizing Natural Language Processing (NLP) and machine learning. 

Unique in its approach, it offers a chatbot-like interface for natural language queries, and it also accesses the Internet using a Bing-based retrieval system for answer verification. Perplexity AI distinguishes itself with a strong emphasis on accuracy, supporting its answers with sources and citations for verification​​.

Perplexity Features

• Generative Answer and Search Engine: At its core, Perplexity is a generative answer and search engine, designed to provide direct answers to user queries. It scours the internet to source information, also functioning as a conversational chatbot.

• Natural Language Queries: Users can interact with Perplexity using natural language, making the search experience more intuitive and user-friendly.

• Edit and Refine Questions: Perplexity allows users to edit and reword their questions to achieve more accurate and relevant results.

• Entity Linking: The tool links to new topics within its answers, encouraging exploration and discovery of related subjects.

• Focused Search Domains: Users can narrow down searches to specific domains such as Wolfram|Alpha, Wikipedia, Reddit, YouTube, news articles, and academic papers for more targeted results.

• Thread Saving and Sharing: Perplexity AI can save search threads (back-and-forth sessions with the AI) and enables users to share these threads with others, including monitoring stats like views and shares.

• Interact with Shared Threads: Users can browse and interact with threads shared by others, ask follow-up questions, and click on related questions for comprehensive exploration.

Perplexity Pricing

• Free Plan
• Pro Plan: $20/month or $200/year

Perplexity Usages

• Search and Information Retrieval: Ideal for quickly finding accurate information on a broad range of topics, using natural language queries.

• Focused Research: Effective for conducting focused research across various domains like Wikipedia, Reddit, and academic papers.

• Content Exploration: Facilitates exploration of related topics and ideas through entity linking and related questions in answers.

• Interactive Search: Enhances search experiences with its Copilot feature, guiding users with interactive inputs for more precise results.

• Thread Sharing and Collaboration: Allows users to save, share, and collaborate on search threads, useful for group research or discussions.

• Customized Information Filtering: Offers curated source editing for personalized and accurate search results.

Perplexity Competitors

• ChatGPT: Integrating ChatGPT facilitates content generation and refinement. It includes features for chat history preservation and organization, making it a useful tool for various content production tasks.

• Google Bard: Google's AI-powered search tool integrates advanced language models to enhance search capabilities. It offers nuanced, context-aware responses and leverages Google's vast search index and AI expertise.

• Bing Chat AI: Powered by AI, Bing Chat AI provides conversational search experiences. It combines Bing's search database with AI-driven natural language processing to deliver interactive and accurate search results.

• Jasper: A versatile AI writing tool known for its user-friendly interface and wide range of templates. Jasper AI is designed for content creation, offering tools for various content types, including SEO-focused articles and marketing materials.

• Anyword: Specializes in persuasive writing and marketing copy, featuring capabilities like A/B testing and data-driven insights to optimize content. Anyword's focus is on enhancing the effectiveness of marketing and advertising content.

• Writesonic: Offers a variety of AI-powered writing tools suitable for different content types such as blog posts, social media captions, and product descriptions. Writesonic emphasizes creative content generation and efficiency.

• Simplified: A marketing automation platform targeted at small businesses. It provides tools for email marketing, social media management, and website building, integrating AI to streamline these processes.

Perplexity Launch & Funding

Perplexity AI was founded in August 2022 by a team consisting of Andy Konwinski, Aravind Srinivas, Denis Yarats, and Johnny Ho.The platform was publicly launched on December 7, 2022. This release marked the beginning of its journey in the AI-driven search engine market.

Perplexity AI's total capital raised amounted to approximately $100 million. Perplexity AI's valuation reached an impressive $520 million, reflecting its rapid growth and the high expectations for its future impact on the search engine market​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​.

Perplexity Limitation

• Dependence on AI Accuracy: While aiming for precision, it may still encounter the same issues of inaccuracy or hallucinations inherent in AI tools.

• Limited Copilot Usage: The Copilot feature, powered by GPT-4, has limited uses due to its resource-intensive nature.

• New and Evolving Platform: As a platform still in development, it may lack the maturity and comprehensive capabilities of more established search engines.

• Learning Curve: Users might need time to familiarize themselves with the tool’s unique features and best practices for optimal use.