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, and our editor spot-checks published guides every day.
See AI World HQ first on GoogleAdd us as a preferred source and our stories show up higher in Google’s Top Stories.Add on GoogleBy 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.
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.
**** 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.
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.
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.
**** Some layouts show a gear icon instead of the word “Focus”; tap the gear and look for a “Source filter” or similar wording.
- 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, and our editor spot-checks published guides every day. Spot a mistake? Use the buttons above.
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