Perplexity offers two search modes, and understanding when to use each is key to effective research.

Quick Search

Quick Search is fast and direct. It performs a single web search, reads the top results, and generates a concise answer. Best for:

• Simple factual questions: "What is the population of Tokyo?"
• Quick definitions: "What is retrieval-augmented generation?"
• Current information: "What's the weather in London?"
• Simple comparisons: "iPhone 16 vs Galaxy S25 specs"

Quick Search is unlimited on both free and Pro plans.

Pro Search

Pro Search is Perplexity's power mode. It performs multi-step research, asking clarifying questions, searching multiple queries, and synthesizing deeper answers. Best for:

• Complex research: "What are the most effective strategies for reducing employee burnout, with evidence from recent studies?"
• Multi-faceted questions: "Compare the privacy policies of the top 5 cloud storage providers"
• In-depth analysis: "What are the economic implications of the EU AI Act for startups?"
• Technical deep dives: "Explain the transformer architecture and how it differs from RNNs, with recent improvements"

When you activate Pro Search, Perplexity may ask you clarifying questions before searching. This is a feature, not a bug — it ensures the research is targeted to your actual need.

Focus Modes

Both Quick and Pro Search support Focus modes that limit where Perplexity searches:

• All — Full web search (default)
• Academic — Searches academic papers and journals (Semantic Scholar, PubMed, etc.)
• Writing — Generates text without web search (like a traditional LLM)
• Math — Uses Wolfram Alpha for computational questions
• Video — Searches YouTube and video platforms
• Social — Searches Reddit, Twitter/X, and discussion forums

Pro Tip: Use Academic focus for literature reviews and Scientific papers. Use Social focus to find real user experiences and opinions about products.