🧠Perplexity vs. the AI Field: Where Does It Fit?
Think of the AI world as a spectrum. On one side, you have creative powerhouses like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, spinning words into stories and art. On the other side, accuracy reigns supreme with Perplexity and Google Search, delivering reliable information in real-time.
Perplexity shines when:
- Factual accuracy is paramount: 💊 Deciding on supplements, 💻 troubleshooting tech issues.
- Real-time information is needed: 📈 Checking stock prices, 📰 getting the latest news.
Example: Need to fix a Wi-Fi issue on your iPhone at a Marriott hotel? Perplexity pulls from sources like Apple Support, Marriott Help, and even Reddit, giving you a comprehensive solution.
💡 Pro Tip: Use the “Focus” feature to narrow down your search to specific sources like academic journals or social media.
🧰 Unlocking Perplexity’s Potential: Settings & Features
Before you dive in, personalize Perplexity to work best for you!
- Privacy: Control your data and choose whether to share it for training.
- Conversation History: Easily access past searches and questions.
- Custom Instructions: Tell Perplexity how to respond, like a consultant using simple language.
Example: In your profile, add instructions like “Structure my writing” or “Adopt a conversational tone.” This saves you time in the long run!
🤯 Fun Fact: Even if you choose the same AI model as ChatGPT, Perplexity will give you different results due to its unique fine-tuning for accuracy and search.
📚 Collections: Your Personalized Research Hub
Collections are like creating your own research assistant within Perplexity.
- Start a Collection: Give it a name like “Trip to Japan” or “Presentation Outlines.”
- Add a Persona: Tell Perplexity to act like a seasoned travel agent or a consultant.
- Save Searches: Add any relevant searches to your collection for easy access.
Example: Planning a trip to Japan? Create a collection and tell Perplexity to act as a travel agent with 20+ years of experience, prioritizing local, tourist-friendly experiences.
💡 Pro Tip: Use the SCQA framework (Situation, Complication, Question, Answer) within a collection to generate structured outlines for presentations.
🆚 When Perplexity Falls Short: Creative Limits
While Perplexity excels at research and accuracy, it’s not the best tool for creative tasks.
Example: Asking Perplexity to brainstorm thumbnail ideas for a video will likely result in less creative and relevant suggestions compared to ChatGPT.
💡 Pro Tip: Stick to ChatGPT or Google Gemini for brainstorming, creative writing, or tasks requiring a high level of imagination.
🚀 Perplexity Pro: Is It Worth It?
The free version of Perplexity is powerful enough for most users. However, Pro offers:
- More Powerful Search: Access to more sources and more detailed answers.
- Image Generation: Create images using the popular “Flux” model.
💡 Pro Tip: Unless you need these specific features, the free version of Perplexity offers exceptional value for research and information gathering.
🧰 Resource Toolbox
- Workspace Toolkit (Prompts for Productivity): https://academy.jeffsu.org/workspace-toolkit?utmsource=youtube&utmmedium=video&utm_campaign=164
- Summary of Google’s Intro to AI Course: https://youtu.be/Yq0QkCxoTHM
- Create Your Own Custom Instructions: https://youtu.be/Y35EHDRNUeo
- The SCQA Framework Prompt: https://jeffsu.gumroad.com/l/prompt-for-presentations
Perplexity is a powerful tool that can significantly enhance your research and information-gathering process. By understanding its strengths, limitations, and key features, you can unlock its full potential and streamline your workflow.
