Perplexity AI Supercharged "Pro Search" With Powerful New Features

Perplexity AI released some huge upgrades and enhancements to Perplexity Pro Search. The update includes an improved problem-solving capability through multi-step reasoning, a more advanced math and programming capability, and more in-depth and comprehensive search results.

I would assume you already know what Perplexity is and what it is for, but in case you don’t know it yet, here’s a quick introduction.

What is Perplexity?

Perplexity is an AI-powered search and question-answering platform that aims to provide accurate, up-to-date information by combining elements of traditional search engines with natural language AI capabilities.

Perplexity AI was launched in 2022 with the aim to compete with Alphabet Inc.’s Google Search. The search capability is based on OpenAI’s GPT-3.5 model and a standalone LLM with NLP capabilities for its free product. The pro version accesses GPT-4o, Claude 3.5 Sonnet, and others.

I have been using Perplexity since last year and honestly, it’s a really good tool if you want to have straightforward answers without the clutter of sponsored posts or the need to sift through links to find the desired answer.

What’s new in Perplexity Pro?

Today, Perplexity rolled out some updates and enhancements to its Pro Search feature.

1. Multi-step reasoning
2. Advanced math and programming capabilities
3. Quick Search vs Pro Search

Let’s get into the details of these features.

Multi-step Reasoning

Pro Search is now more powerful at solving complex problems through multi-step reasoning. It can understand when a question needs careful planning, break down the problem into smaller goals, and deliver thorough answers efficiently.

Take a look at this example:

Prompt: The rise and fall of Stability AI

It performs research on the topic and then gathers sufficient information before revealing the final answer.

Additionally, Pro Search can analyze search results intelligently, initiating follow-up searches to build on its previous findings. This means you get more in-depth and accurate responses to your queries.

Advanced Math and Programming Capabilities

Perplexity has also significantly enhanced Pro Search’s ability to perform code execution and solve complex mathematical problems.

With the integration of the Wolfram | Alpha engine, Pro Search can solve complex mathematical problems with exceptional accuracy and speed.

Here’s an example:

Prompt: Solve the Knight Dialer problem for 100 hops

As you can see, Pro Search performed multi-step reasoning on the Knight Dialer problem, producing sample code and examples as part of the solution process.

Quick Search vs. Pro Search

Perplexity offers two search options now: Quick Search and Pro Search. Quick Search is perfect for fast and accurate answers backed by reliable sources. It’s ideal when you need quick, efficient information.

However, sometimes you need a deeper, more comprehensive search. This is where the newly upgraded Pro Search shines. It provides greater depth, precision, and thorough insights.

By toggling to Pro Search in the search bar, you can ask a question and watch as Perplexity explores every aspect of your query with improved accuracy.

Pro Search connects you to a wider range of trustworthy sources and transparently shows you the step-by-step process behind its findings.

How much does Perplexity Pro cost?

Perplexity Pro costs $20 per month which gives you the following benefits:

• Unlimited Pro Search: Pro Search is our most powerful search, ideal for longer answers to complex questions. (300+/day)
• Unlimited File Uploads: Ask about images, documents, and more, powered by models like Claude 3.5 and GPT-4o.
• Upgraded AI Models: Choose from the latest AI models like GPT-4o, Claude 3.5, and Sonar for improved answers and longer context.
• API Credits: Enjoy a $5 monthly credit for our text generation API. Perplexity’s online LLM offers up-to-date information at low latency.

Final Thoughts

Now that Google is in trouble with all its terrible AI Overview results, Perplexity is becoming more and more popular. It’s frustrating when I search for something on Google and get presented with sponsored links or a bunch of Reddit forums instead of the answer I want.

That’s why, in recent months, I’ve found myself using Perplexity more and more. I even subscribed to the Pro version because of its advanced features like Pages and access to Claude 3.5 Sonnet and GPT-4o. These features make a huge difference in getting detailed and accurate answers.

Given these new improvements, I wonder how Google will respond. Will they introduce new AI features to Google Search in the coming weeks?

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