eSAFETY GUIDE

Perplexity

13+
Minimum age according to Perplexity
13+ Minimum age according to Perplexity

What is Perplexity?

Perplexity is an artificial intelligence (AI) search engine combined with a chatbot. When you ask it a question, Perplexity looks for information online, summarises what it finds and shows where the information came from.

Perplexity is commonly used for tasks such as researching, comparing options, making decisions or getting quick answers with sources.

When you ask Perplexity a question, it searches the web for information. It then uses an AI model to write a response. Perplexity uses AI technology made by different companies, as well as its own. For example, it can switch between different AI models (such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini or Perplexity’s own models) depending on the task.

Perplexity has two main options, depending on your needs:

  • Search is designed to answer questions by finding information online.
  • Computer is designed to help with more complex tasks, such as creating reports, visualising data and helping with coding projects (for example, building an app).

Perplexity has a feature called ‘Internal Knowledge Search’, which is for paid users only. This feature allows you to browse web content and their internal documents simultaneously.

Perplexity also has a feature called ‘Projects’ (formerly known as ‘Spaces’), which helps to group related chats and files together into one workspace.

Perplexity offers a number of specialised services such as Perplexity Health and Perplexity Academic. Perplexity Health can connect to information from sources like medical records, Apple Health and Fitbit, and provide a summary of that information. Perplexity Academic is designed to help with academic research – it searches for information across academic papers and journals. Some of these services may only be available in certain countries.

You can use the basic features for free. Perplexity also has different subscription options, including ‘pro’ and ‘max’.

Website: perplexity.ai

Apps: Android app, Apple iOS app

Key safety links

These links are provided by Perplexity:

  • Help centre
    Offers a range of general help, safety and security information.
  • Privacy policy
    How Perplexity collects, uses and shares your personal information, including location data.
  • Terms of service
    The terms you agree to when you use Perplexity.
  • Privacy and security
    Learn about Perplexity’s data privacy, retention policies and security certifications for API users.

Related eSafety links

Find other resources to help keep you safe online:

Other eSafety Guides:

About this Guide

This guide is provided by the eSafety Commissioner to help people stay safe online and better understand digital platforms.

Social media changes

From 10 December 2025, certain social media platforms are not allowed to let Australian children under 16 create or keep an account.

Find out more at eSafety’s social media age restrictions hub.

About The eSafety Guide

The eSafety Guide helps you find out how to protect your personal information and report harmful content on common social media, games, apps and sites. Entries are for information only and are not reviews, endorsements or assessments against any legislative definition by eSafety. Before choosing to use any online service or platform it’s best to:

  • do your own research to understand the risks and benefits
  • check the age rating and requirements
  • consider privacy
  • check the permissions and other settings
  • check the in-app reporting options.

If you are a parent or carer who is deciding whether a child should be allowed to use an online service or platform, you can also:

  • consider your child's readiness for the types of content and experiences they might encounter
  • help them understand what to do if they need help
  • provide ongoing support and monitoring, for example through regular check-ins with your child
  • agree to some rules about use of each service or platform.

To find out more, you can read the App checklist for parents, as well as information about parental controls in social media, games and apps and mental wellbeing resources for families.