What Is Perplexity AI? How to Use the AI Search Engine and What It Can Do
機械翻訳 / Machine-translated
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AI Friends
2026年4月16日・12分で読める
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Perplexity AI is a next-generation AI search engine released in 2022.
Unlike traditional search engines, you simply ask it a question and the AI automatically gathers information, then delivers a clear, organized answer.
As of April 2026, it has become a popular tool used by over 100 million people every month.
While Google and Yahoo! only display a list of links in their search results, Perplexity AI gives you answers written out in natural language. It also shows the sources it used — where the information came from — so you can verify for yourself whether the information is trustworthy.
There is a free basic plan and a paid plan called "Perplexity Pro" at $20 per month (approximately ¥3,000). The free version is more than capable, so it's a good idea to try it out first.
Perplexity AI offers a variety of useful features beyond simply gathering information. Here, we introduce five of its main features.
When you enter a question, the AI gathers information from multiple sites and composes a clear answer for you. Below the answer, links to the referenced sites are displayed, so you can dig deeper if needed.
With the Focus feature, you can limit the type of information searched — such as "academic papers only," "YouTube videos only," or "news only." This is useful when looking for specialized information.
Spaces is a feature that lets you organize information by topic as you research. You can sort information by theme, whether it's for a work project or personal hobby research.
With the paid plan (Pro), you can upload files such as PDFs and academic papers and ask questions about their content. This is helpful when you don't have time to read through lengthy documents.
"Perplexity Computer," introduced in February 2026, automatically switches between 19 of the latest AI models — including GPT-5 and Claude 4. It handles a wide range of tasks, from research and image generation to coding.
Perplexity AI is easy to use even for first-timers. Here, we explain the basics in three steps.
First, visit the Perplexity AI official website (perplexity.ai).
You can log in easily with a Google or Apple account.
Creating an account is free.
In the search box at the center of the screen, type what you want to know in Japanese (or English). You can ask naturally, like you're having a conversation — for example, "Tell me about ○○" or "What is ○○?"
In a matter of seconds, the AI will generate an answer.
Below the answer, numbered references to the sites consulted are displayed.
If a particular site catches your interest, you can click on it to read the full content.
If you have follow-up questions, simply type them in and continue the conversation. Since the AI remembers previous questions, you can dive deeper seamlessly.
Perplexity AI has both convenient aspects and points to be mindful of. Get to know the pros and cons before you start using it.
Perplexity AI is especially recommended for people who want to gather information efficiently. Specifically, it's a great fit for people like these:
On the other hand, if you need real-time information (such as stock prices or weather) or are searching for cutting-edge knowledge in highly specialized fields, traditional search engines or dedicated specialized sites may serve you better.
Perplexity AI is a new type of search engine where AI automatically gathers information and answers your questions. Here's a recap of the key points from this article:
Perplexity AI is a tool with the potential to become the new standard in information gathering. Since it's free to use, why not give it a casual try?
This article is a cross-post from AI Friends.
