AI WORLD HQFact-Check Online Claims with Perplexity's Sources
Learn to use Perplexity to quickly trace the origins of social media claims and evaluate their reliability before you share them.
In our busy online world, information flies around faster than ever. Sometimes, a post on social media might sound convincing but isn't quite right. This guide will show you how to use Perplexity, an AI assistant, to quickly check the facts and understand where information truly comes from. By the end, you'll be able to confidently verify claims, helping you decide what's reliable to share. While Perplexity is excellent at finding and compiling information, remember it doesn't perform human critical analysis or judgment; it's always up to you to evaluate the original sources.
💡 Tip: tap a step’s number when you finish it — a green tick appears and your browser remembers how far you got.
- A device with internet access (computer, tablet, or smartphone).
- Access to Perplexity, either through its website (perplexity.ai) or its mobile app. A free account is sufficient for this guide.
- Roughly 5-7 minutes of your time.
Open Perplexity
First, let's get Perplexity ready. Open your web browser and type perplexity.ai into the address bar at the top of the screen, then press your keyboard's Enter key. If you're on a mobile device, find and launch the Perplexity app. Once loaded, you'll typically see a clean, simple screen featuring a prominent search bar right in the middle, often displaying placeholder text like "Ask anything..." or "Search the web". This is your main input area, waiting for your questions.
If it looks different: The specific layout might vary slightly depending on whether you're using the website or the app, or due to recent updates. However, you should always find a clear, large text box or search bar positioned centrally, as it's the most obvious place to type your query.
You'll know it worked when you see the Perplexity interface with a clear text input area, ready for you to type your question.
Ask about your claim
Now, let's ask Perplexity to investigate a social media claim. Carefully type the specific statement or question you want to check directly into that main search bar. Try to phrase your query clearly and directly, just as you would ask a person for information. For example, if you saw a post about a new animal, you might ask "Is the 'blue-spotted tree frog' a real animal?". Once you've finished typing your question, press the Enter key on your keyboard or tap the "Ask" button (which might appear as an arrow or a magnifying glass icon) usually located next to your input.
If it looks different: If there isn't a clearly visible "Ask" button, simply pressing Enter after typing your question usually works on most devices. Make sure your question is specific enough so Perplexity understands exactly what you're trying to verify.
You'll know it worked when Perplexity starts to process your request, often showing a loading animation, a spinning icon, or a "Generating answer..." message as it looks for information.
Review the summary and its citations
After a brief moment, Perplexity, acting as an AI assistant (a computer program designed to help with tasks and provide information), will present you with a summary answer. This is the AI's best attempt to directly address your question, drawing information from various online sources. Read through this summary carefully. You'll typically find a concise answer, along with key facts or explanations. Notice that within the summary, there will be small numbered references, like [1], [2], or [3], next to specific pieces of information. These numbers are crucial because they point directly to the original sources Perplexity used.
If it looks different: The summary might be formatted as a series of bullet points, a few longer paragraphs, or a mix of both. Regardless of the exact appearance, the core information and the numbered references should be clearly visible, usually appearing immediately below your initial question.
You'll know it worked when you see a generated answer to your query, complete with small, numbered citations embedded within the text.
Examine the source list
This is where Perplexity truly shines for transparency and fact-checking. Scroll down slightly below the main summary answer. You'll find a dedicated section, typically labelled "Sources" or "References." Here, you'll see a list of the actual websites or articles that Perplexity consulted to formulate its answer, corresponding to the numbers you saw in the summary. For each source, there will usually be a title, a brief description of the content, and the website's address. This transparency (showing you exactly where the information came from) is vital because it lets you see where the information originated, not just what the AI says.
If it looks different: The sources might be displayed as small, clickable cards, or as a simple list. On a mobile device, you might need to tap an "Expand Sources" or a similar button to reveal the full list. Just look for a distinct section that clearly lists external website links.
You'll know it worked when you see a list of external website links, each labelled with a number that corresponds to the citations in the AI's summary.
Dive into an original source
To truly verify a claim and understand its context, it's essential to go directly to the original source. Click on one of the numbered source links from the "Sources" section that seems most relevant to the claim you're checking or appears to be from a reputable (trustworthy and respected) organisation. This action will open that original webpage in a new browser tab or sometimes within Perplexity itself (depending on your device settings). Now, you can read the information in its original context. Check if the information presented by Perplexity accurately reflects what the source says, look for publication dates, the author, and whether the website itself appears trustworthy (e.g., is it a known news organisation, a research institution, or a personal blog?). Comparing the AI's summary with the actual source helps you confirm its accuracy.
If it looks different: If clicking a link doesn't open a new tab, check your browser's pop-up blocker settings, as they can sometimes interfere. You might also have the option to right-click (on a computer) or long-press (on a phone) the link to copy its address, then paste it directly into a new browser tab yourself.
You'll know it worked when you are actively viewing the actual website or article that Perplexity used, allowing you to read the original information.
Refine your query or ask follow-ups
Sometimes, your first question might not give you the complete picture, or the sources provided might be unclear. If you need more information or a different angle, you can ask a follow-up question. Below Perplexity's initial answer, you'll usually see an "Ask a follow-up" prompt or a new blank input box. Type your refined question there, focusing on clarifying details or asking for more specific types of sources. For example, if the initial sources were mostly opinion pieces, you might ask "Are there any scientific studies on this topic?". This iterative process helps you narrow down your search and get more precise, verifiable information.
If it looks different: Instead of an explicit "Ask a follow-up" button, you might simply see another blank input box directly below the answer, allowing you to continue the conversation. If you want to start a brand-new search entirely, look for a "New Thread" or "New Search" button, usually found near the top of the screen or within a side menu.
You'll know it worked when Perplexity processes your follow-up query, generating a new answer and set of sources based on your refinement.
- Not checking the sources thoroughly: It's tempting to just read Perplexity's summary and assume it's entirely correct. The AI compiles information, but it can sometimes misinterpret or give too much weight to less reliable sources. Always click through to the original sources to verify the context and content yourself.
- Being too vague with your question: Asking broad questions like "Tell me about this news" might not yield precise fact-checks. Instead, provide the specific claim or statement you want to investigate. Being specific helps Perplexity pull more relevant information.
- Ignoring source reliability: While Perplexity provides sources, it doesn't always rate their trustworthiness. A quick check of a source's website (e.g., is it a well-known news organisation, a research institution, or just a personal blog?) and its publication date is crucial for deciding if the information is truly reliable.
Find a recent claim or statistic on your social media feed that caught your eye, perhaps something surprising or highly shared. Type that exact claim into Perplexity's search bar and hit Enter. Once you have the summary, scroll down and click on the first source link provided to see where the information originally came from.
❓ Quick questions
How long does this take?
About 6 minutes — the guide has 6 steps, and you can tick each one off as you go.
Which tool do I need?
This guide uses Perplexity Perplexity — but the approach works very similarly in other AI assistants.
Do I need to prepare anything?
- A device with internet access (computer, tablet, or smartphone).
- Access to Perplexity, either through its website (perplexity.ai) or its mobile app. A free account is sufficient for this guide.
- Roughly 5-7 minutes of your time.
What mistakes should I avoid?
- Not checking the sources thoroughly: It's tempting to just read Perplexity's summary and assume it's entirely correct. The AI compiles information, but it can sometimes misinterpret or give too much weight to less reliable sources. Always click through to the original sources to verify the context and content yourself.
- Being too vague with your question: Asking broad questions like "Tell me about this news" might not yield precise fact-checks. Instead, provide the specific claim or statement you want to investigate. Being specific helps Perplexity pull more relevant information.
- Ignoring source reliability: While Perplexity provides sources, it doesn't always rate their trustworthiness. A quick check of a source's website (e.g., is it a well-known news organisation, a research institution, or just a personal blog?) and its publication date is crucial for deciding if the information is truly reliable.
Keep reading
📬 The week’s AI, in your inbox
One friendly email every Sunday — the 5 stories that mattered, in plain English. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
✦ Original step-by-step guide by AI World HQ's AI editorial team. Written in plain language, reviewed for accuracy.
← Back to all stories