Perplexity Websearch is a web-retrieval AI search page for current information, source discovery and fast fact-checking. Use it to find source pages quickly before deeper analysis.
What Perplexity Websearch is best for
Finding current web results before writing or deciding
Checking claims against cited online sources
Researching recent products, companies, releases and policies
Discovering source pages to read in full
Turning live web search into a concise answer with citations
How to use Perplexity Websearch
Step 1
Use focused queries with dates, brands, locations, source types, official-source preferences or comparison criteria to narrow the web results.
Step 2
Ask for source lists when discovery matters more than a polished final answer, then decide which pages deserve manual review.
Step 3
Open the source pages and use a chat model afterward to summarize, rewrite, structure or turn your findings into a final deliverable.
Example prompts
Common use cases
Use Websearch when you need a source list before doing deeper reading, especially for fresh topics that change quickly.
Use it to check whether a claim appears in official documentation, news coverage or third-party reviews.
Use it to gather current URLs for a report, article, comparison table, research note or fact-checking workflow.
Use it before standard chat when a task depends on today’s live web rather than model memory, then bring the verified sources into ChatGPT or Claude for writing.
Frequently asked questions
What is Perplexity Websearch?
Perplexity Websearch uses web retrieval to answer questions with current source context rather than relying only on static model knowledge.
When should I use Websearch instead of Sonar?
Use Websearch for source discovery and quick current lookups. Use Sonar or Sonar Pro when you want a more model-like search answer.
Does Websearch replace checking sources manually?
No. It helps find and summarize sources, but important claims should still be checked by opening the cited pages.
Is Websearch useful for research?
Yes. It is useful for finding sources, comparing current information and getting a quick map of what the web says about a topic.
