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Perplexity

Perplexity

AI Searchperplexity.ai

AI Search / Answer Engine / Generative AI

Last updated Jun 23, 2026 by the ATDb Editorial Team · Connections updated Jun 26, 2026

In the news
Founded
2022
HQ
San Francisco, California, United States
Connections
21

At a glance

AI-powered answer engine and emerging search competitor to Google. Founded 2022 by Aravind Srinivas (CEO, ex-OpenAI/DeepMind), Denis Yarats, Johnny Ho, and Andy Konwinski. ~$1.72B raised, ~$22.6B valuation as of Jan 2026. Launched ad platform Nov 2024 (Sponsored Questions w/ Criteo, Indeed, WPP); abandoned advertising program Feb 2026 citing trust concerns. AdTech relevance: canonical answer-engine target for GEO/AI visibility optimization, browser-layer disruption via Comet, and the industry's reference case for 'AI search + ads = trust collapse'.

Employees
501-1000
Funding
$1.72B+
5competitors1corporate family2partners

About

Leading AI answer-engine challenger to Google search; among top-tier AI labs alongside OpenAI/Anthropic on AI-search use cases

Business model

Freemium SaaS + API + (formerly) Advertising

Target market

Consumer, Prosumer, Developer, Enterprise

What they offer

  • Perplexity (free tier)

    Free answer-engine web/mobile app

  • Perplexity Pro

    $20/mo paid tier — multiple model access, Pro Search, Spaces

  • Perplexity Max

    $200/mo premium tier — extended compute, priority access

  • Comet

    AI-powered agentic browser (Win/Mac/Android/iOS) — separate ATDb entity

  • Sponsored Questions (DISCONTINUED 2026-02)

    Native ad format launched Nov 2024 with Criteo, Indeed, WPP; shut down Feb 2026 amid AI-search-trust concerns

Key features

Citation-grounded answers with linked sourcesMulti-model routing (Claude, GPT-4o, Llama, Grok, etc.)Real-time web search integrationSpaces — collaborative AI workspacesPro Search — multi-step deep researchComet browser integration

Use cases

AI-powered search and researchCitation-based answer generation for fact-checkingGEO / AI visibility optimization (target for SEO-evolution)Agentic web browsing via CometMarketing research and competitive intelligence

Tech & specs

API

Yes

Corporate history
  1. 2022 · Founded
Connection details
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