The golden rule: State your intent clearly and provide detail.
Tell Perplexity exactly what you want to do — create an image, generate a video, search for information, build a document. The more specific information you include in your prompt, the better the results you'll get.
Think of it this way: a vague request gets a vague response, but a detailed prompt with clear intent delivers exactly what you need.
Perplexity searches the live web in real time, so you always get up-to-date information with clear sources. The key to great results? Be specific.
Start with a clear question. Instead of typing a single word like "inflation," try "What is the current inflation rate in the US?"
Add context. The more background you give, the better. For example: "I'm a first-time homebuyer in the US — what federal programs are available to help me?"
Use keywords that matter. Include key terms that help focus the response. For example: "best noise-cancelling headphones under \$200 for commuting."
Say how you want the answer. You can ask for a summary, a table, bullet points, or a step-by-step guide — just include that in your prompt.
✅ "Compare the pros and cons of hybrid vs. fully electric cars for city driving."
✅ "What are the latest CDC guidelines on vitamin D supplementation for adults?"
❌ "Cars" (too vague — Perplexity won't know what you're looking for)
Need more than a quick answer? Research mode digs deeper — it searches multiple sources, reads through documents, and pieces together a comprehensive analysis for you. Think of it as having a research assistant that works in minutes, not days.
Be clear about what you want to learn. A focused question leads to a focused report. For example: "What are the key trends in remote work adoption across the United States since 2020?"
Ask follow-up questions. Research mode works great in conversation. Start broad, then drill down: "Now focus on the impact on employee productivity."
Upload your own files. You can attach PDFs, documents, or data and ask Perplexity to analyse them alongside web sources. For example: "Based on the attached financial report and latest market data, what's the outlook for this company?"
Combine sources. Try prompts like: "Cross-reference my uploaded lecture notes with the latest studies on reinforcement learning and summarise the key takeaways."
✅ "Research the environmental impact of fast fashion and suggest sustainable alternatives, including cost comparisons."
✅ "Summarise the main arguments for and against a four-day work week, with supporting data."
❌ "Tell me about fashion" (too broad — narrow it down to get useful results)
Perplexity can generate custom images right inside your conversation. Just describe what you'd like to see, and an image will be created for you automatically.
Be as specific as possible. Describe the subject, style, colours, mood, and setting. The more detail, the better the result.
Mention a style if you have one in mind. You can ask for watercolour, photorealistic, minimalist, cartoon, vintage — whatever fits your vision.
Include context about how you'll use it. For example: "Create a professional-looking banner image for a tech blog about AI."
Iterate and refine. If the first result isn't quite right, tweak your prompt and try again. Small changes can make a big difference.
✅ "Generate a watercolour illustration of a cosy coffee shop on a rainy New York street, warm lighting, autumn colours."
✅ "Create a clean, minimalist logo concept for a sustainable clothing brand called 'Evergreen.'"
❌ "Make me a picture" (too vague — describe what you actually want to see)
You can generate short videos directly from a prompt. This is great for social media content, product demos, or creative projects. You can even upload a photo to use as the starting frame.
Describe the scene and action. Think of it like writing a mini script — what's happening, where, and what's the mood?
Keep it focused. Generated videos are short, so aim for one clear concept per video.
Attach a reference image. If you have a photo you'd like to animate or build from, upload it with your prompt.
Think about the end goal. If you're creating an ad or social post, mention that — it helps set the right tone and style.
✅ "Generate a short video of a steaming cup of coffee on a wooden table with soft morning light, slow zoom in."
✅ "I want to sell my vintage desk lamp (photo attached). Generate a stylish video ad I can post on social media."
❌ "Make a video" (needs more detail about what the video should show)
Perplexity can create complete files for you — documents, slide decks, spreadsheets, and even simple web apps. Everything is backed by research with built-in citations, so your work stays credible.
State the file type you need. Be explicit: "Create a Word document," "Build a slide deck," or "Make a spreadsheet."
Describe the structure and content. For example: "Create a 10-slide presentation on our Q4 marketing strategy, with sections on budget, channels, and KPIs."
Refine with follow-ups. After the first draft, use follow-up prompts to edit, add, or restructure. For example: "Add a conclusion slide" or "Make the executive summary shorter."
Export when ready. Download your files as DOCX, PDF, PPTX, or XLSX — whatever you need.
✅ "Create a professional PDF report on the current state of renewable energy in the United States, with charts and citations."
✅ "Build a spreadsheet comparing the top 5 project management tools by price, features, and user ratings."
❌ "Write something for me" (be specific about what you need and in what format)
No matter what you're asking Perplexity to do, these principles will help you get better results every time:
State your intent clearly. Start by saying exactly what you want: "Create an image," "Generate a video," "Search for," "Build a presentation." This tells Perplexity what action to take.
More information = better results. The more detail you provide, the better your output will be. Include context, specifics, preferences, and constraints. A rich, detailed prompt produces a rich, detailed response.
Be specific, not vague. The clearer your prompt, the better the output.
Give context. Who are you? What's this for? A little background goes a long way.
One thing at a time. Don't cram multiple unrelated requests into a single prompt.
Say what format you want. Table, bullet points, report, slide deck — just ask.
Iterate. Your first prompt doesn't have to be perfect. Refine and follow up.
Use plain language. You don't need to speak like a machine. Write the way you'd explain it to a colleague.
Do I need to be technical to use Perplexity?
Not at all. Just type naturally, like you're asking a knowledgeable friend. Plain language works best.
What if my first result isn't great?
That's totally normal. Try rephrasing your prompt with more detail, or ask a follow-up question to steer the response.
Can I combine features in one conversation?
Absolutely. You can search for information, then ask Perplexity to turn it into a document or presentation — all in the same session.
Is there a limit to how much I can generate?
Usage depends on your subscription plan. Pro and Max subscribers get higher limits for search, image generation, video creation, and document building.
Where can I use these features?
All features are available on web, iOS, and Android. Some advanced features require a Pro or Max subscription.
## Related topics - [Getting Started](/help-center/help-center/en/collections/12702161-getting-started.md) - [Practical Tips for Using Perplexity](/help-center/help-center/en/articles/10352971-practical-tips-for-using-perplexity.md) - [Getting Started with Perplexity](/help-center/help-center/en/articles/10354975-getting-started-with-perplexity.md) - [What is the difference between a prompt and a search?](/help-center/help-center/en/articles/10354937-what-is-the-difference-between-a-prompt-and-a-search.md) - [What is an answer engine and how does Perplexity work?](/help-center/help-center/en/articles/10354917-what-is-an-answer-engine-and-how-does-perplexity-work-as-one.md)