How to get the most from Perplexity's new AI features

From Voice Mode to Labs, a smarter way to search is here

Search is being reimagined, not with more results, but with better ones. And while Google still dominates the micro-search moments of daily life, a new class of AI-first tools like Perplexity are quietly resetting the rules of engagement.

Perplexity offers AI-powered summaries, reliable sources, and conversational follow-ups. New features include Voice Mode, transcription tools, Labs for building Web apps, and more. It’s ideal for deep research, specific curiosities, and curated topic explorations.

Rethinking search: why Perplexity stands out

Most of us have internalised a certain rhythm when searching online: type keywords, sift through links, skim a few tabs. But Perplexity flips this habit. It condenses, explains, and cites, giving you straight-to-the-point answers — without the click-a-thon.

Where Google remains useful for pinpoint tasks like locating an address or checking business hours, Perplexity excels at synthesising broader, fuzzier questions. Want a breakdown of China-North Korea relations? Or a primer on AI policy across Southeast Asia? Perplexity can offer a cited summary within seconds.

Making the most of Perplexity's new features

Perplexity’s recent upgrades make it more than a smart Q&A tool. Here are the highlights:

Voice Mode lets users speak queries aloud, ideal for spontaneous curiosities about history, nature, or music. A transcript follows each interaction. Labs transforms prompts into outputs like dashboards, slides, and Web apps. It’s still experimental, but the Project Gallery is a fun showcase. Templates for Spaces help structure research, from academic reviews to marketing strategies. Transcription tools allow file uploads (up to 25MB) with post-upload analysis and summarisation. Topical landing pages now organise search prompts around categories like finance, travel, and education.

Using Perplexity more effectively

Query writing is everything: Be specific. A detailed prompt gets a more precise and useful response. For example, "Compare residential rent to real estate trends in California" yields a data-rich reply. Control your sources: Set preferences for academic databases, financial filings, Reddit-style forums, or government sites using domain limiters (e.g. “domain:.gov”). Pick your AI model: Default options work well for most users, but advanced searches benefit from switching to Claude or Gemini for deeper reasoning. Perplexity vs ChatGPT vs Gemini - five challenges, three contenders explores the strengths of each. Create and curate Spaces: These collections let you group research threads. They’re shareable, editable, and great for collaborative tasks or planning trips.

The perks and the pitfalls

Perplexity’s biggest strengths lie in its sources and structure:

Cited responses: Unlike some generative AI tools, Perplexity shows where it found its answers. Follow-up questions: Keep the conversation going to peel back more layers. Summaries and visuals: Ask for summary tables or images and videos when appropriate.

Still, it's not flawless. Sometimes sources are dubious, or interpretations are off. That’s why detailed input, preferred sources, and follow-up queries are crucial. For complex research, consider drafting your query in ChatGPT or Claude first, then paste it into Perplexity.

Privacy and pricing

Perplexity keeps its core features free: unlimited quick searches, three Pro searches, and three file uploads daily. A paid plan at $20/month expands this dramatically.

Privacy-conscious users can disable data retention, turn on Incognito Mode, or search in a private browser tab. It's simple, practical advice for any AI tool. For more on how AI tools handle data, you can consult research like the "Privacy and Data Protection in Artificial Intelligence" report by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA)^[https://www.enisa.europa.eu/publications/privacy-and-data-protection-in-artificial-intelligence].

What else can it do?

The Chrome Extension enables one-click summaries from any page. The Encyclopedia compares AI tools. A new Tasks beta lets you schedule recurring searches. You can even generate AI audio chats with NotebookLM.

A rising standard, not a perfect oracle

Compared with newer AI search entrants like Google’s AI Mode or academic-focused Consensus, Perplexity is still winning many users over with its balance of clarity and citation. It may not yet rival ChatGPT or Gemini for deep technical exploration, but it offers a cleaner, faster path to understanding. For example, Google bets on ad-free AI, shuns ChatGPT model highlights Google's different approach to AI integration.

Ask better, learn faster

Ultimately, Perplexity rewards the curious and the specific. Treat it less like a search engine and more like a conversation with a well-read assistant. Your questions shape your results. And with a growing suite of tools, Perplexity is more than ready to meet them. If you're looking to build AI skills, understanding how to effectively use tools like Perplexity is a great start.