AI WORLD HQGetting started with Perplexity for answers that show their sources
Learn how to ask Perplexity a question, see the AI‑generated answer, and click the source links that prove where the information came from.
This guide was written by AI. It passed automated fact and quality checks; no human editor reviewed it.
By the end of this guide you’ll be able to type a natural‑language question into Perplexity, read a concise answer, and open the exact web pages that the AI used – a handy skill for research, shopping or learning.
💡 Tip: tap a step’s number when you finish it — a green tick appears and your browser remembers how far you got.
- Device: Any computer, tablet or smartphone with a modern web browser (Chrome, Edge, Safari or Firefox).
- Internet: A stable connection; Perplexity needs to reach the live web to gather sources.
- Account (optional): You can use the free version without signing in, but a free account lets you keep a short search history.
- Time: Expect to spend about 5–10 minutes the first time you try it.
Review the answer and explore source citations
Action: Read the answer that appears, then locate the numbered brackets like [1] or [2] that sit beside specific facts.
What you see: Directly under the answer’s heading you’ll see a row of small source cards, each containing a website title and a tiny thumbnail; the numbered brackets are clickable links next to the text.
What happens next: Clicking a bracket or source card opens a preview tooltip, and clicking the preview (or the link itself) usually opens the original web page in a new browser tab.
**** Some versions show the citations as superscript numbers or as “source 1”, “source 2” labels; the principle is the same – look for any numbers or labeled links attached to the facts.
Success check: You’ll know it worked when a new tab loads the external website and the address bar shows a familiar domain (e.g., travelblog.com) matching the citation.
Use Focus mode to limit where the AI looks
Action: Before typing a new question, find the button labeled Focus (usually positioned to the right of the main search bar) and click it. What you see: A small menu drops down with options such as “All web”, “Academic papers”, “YouTube videos”, and “No web (local only)”. What happens next: Selecting an option tells the LLM to restrict its source‑gathering to that category; after you choose, the search bar remains active for you to type a new query.
**** Some layouts show a gear icon instead of the word “Focus”; tap the gear and look for a “Source filter” or similar wording.
Success check: You’ll know it worked when the answer summarizes a video’s steps and provides timestamps or direct links to the relevant YouTube video in the source cards.
- Skipping the full sentence: Typing only a keyword like “vacuum cleaners” often yields a brief list without citations. Fix: Phrase your query as a complete question or instruction, e.g., “What are the top‑rated vacuum cleaners for pet hair and where can I read reviews?”
- Ignoring the citation numbers: Assuming the answer is correct without checking the sources can lead to outdated or inaccurate information. Fix: Click at least one citation to verify the original article, especially for important decisions.
- Not using Focus when you need specific media: Asking for video tutorials but leaving Focus on “All web” may give a text‑only answer. Fix: Tap the Focus button first and select the media type you need before typing your question.
Open a new browser tab, go to perplexity.ai, type:
“What are three unique indoor activities to do in Portland on a rainy afternoon?”
Press Enter, read the concise list, and click one of the numbered sources to see the original article. You’ll have experienced the full cycle in under two minutes.
❓ Quick questions
How long does this take?
About 6 minutes — the guide has 5 steps, and you can tick each one off as you go.
Which tool do I need?
This guide uses Perplexity — but the approach works very similarly in other AI assistants.
Do I need to prepare anything?
- Device: Any computer, tablet or smartphone with a modern web browser (Chrome, Edge, Safari or Firefox).
- Internet: A stable connection; Perplexity needs to reach the live web to gather sources.
- Account (optional): You can use the free version without signing in, but a free account lets you keep a short search history.
- Time: Expect to spend about 5–10 minutes the first time you try it.
What mistakes should I avoid?
- Skipping the full sentence: Typing only a keyword like “vacuum cleaners” often yields a brief list without citations. Fix: Phrase your query as a complete question or instruction, e.g., “What are the top‑rated vacuum cleaners for pet hair and where can I read reviews?”
- Ignoring the citation numbers: Assuming the answer is correct without checking the sources can lead to outdated or inaccurate information. Fix: Click at least one citation to verify the original article, especially for important decisions.
- Not using Focus when you need specific media: Asking for video tutorials but leaving Focus on “All web” may give a text‑only answer. Fix: Tap the Focus button first and select the media type you need before typing your question.
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✦ Generated by AI in AI World HQ's automated newsroom, written in plain language. Checked by automated fact and quality gates — no human editor reviewed this guide. Spot a mistake? Use the buttons above.
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