Perplexity AI Prompting Tips: Getting the Most from Your Queries

Using Perplexity AI effectively starts with crafting clear, structured prompts that guide the AI to deliver accurate and relevant responses. This guide will help you improve your prompting skills with tips, best practices, and examples.

General Prompting Tips

1. Be Clear and Specific Use complete sentences and specify the information you need. For example, rather than asking, “Tell me about AI,” a clearer prompt would be, “What are the ethical implications of artificial intelligence in healthcare?”
2. Use Open-Ended Questions Open-ended questions encourage detailed responses. For instance, asking “How does machine learning differ from traditional programming?” will prompt a more comprehensive answer than a simple yes/no question.
3. Incorporate Contextual Keywords Include keywords to guide the AI toward relevant details. For example, “Summarize the main points of the article on climate change impacts published in 2023” provides context that helps Perplexity focus its response.
4. Break Down Complex Queries If your question is multifaceted, consider dividing it into simpler parts. Instead of “What are the causes and solutions for climate change?” ask “What are the primary causes of climate change?” and follow up with “What solutions are being proposed?”
5. Ask Follow-Up Questions After receiving an answer, you can ask follow-up questions to dive deeper. For example, after learning about renewable energy sources, you could ask, “Can you explain how solar panels work?”

Types of Prompts

Informational Prompts

For straightforward facts or definitions.

Example: “What is a solar eclipse?”

Instructional Prompts

When you need step-by-step guidance.

Example: “How can I remove a red wine stain from a white cotton shirt?”

Interactive Prompts

For a more conversational or role-playing approach.

Example: “Pretend you’re a hiring manager at a software company, and I’m interviewing for a job in quality assurance.”

Structuring Your Prompts for Success

To ensure effective responses, include the following in your prompts:

• Instruction: Clearly state what you want Perplexity to do (e.g., “Explain,” “Compare,” “Summarize”).
• Context: Provide any background details needed to understand your question.
• Input: Include specific data or text if relevant.
• Keywords Add key terms that will help narrow the focus.
• Output Format: Specify how you want the response to be structured, such as bullet points, summaries, or lists.

Read More About Prompts

Examples of Effective Prompts

Research-Oriented

• “Can you provide an overview of the latest advancements in quantum computing?”
• “What are the key findings from recent studies on the effects of social media on mental health?”

Creative Writing

• “Write a short story about a future where AI governs society.”
• “Generate a poem about the beauty of nature in spring.”

Technical Queries

• “Explain how to implement a binary search algorithm in Python.”
• “What are the differences between supervised and unsupervised learning?”

Comparative Analysis

• “Compare and contrast renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.”
• “What are the pros and cons of electric vehicles versus gasoline-powered cars?”

Summarization Requests

• “Summarize the main arguments in the article titled ‘The Future of Work’ from The Economist.”
• “Provide a brief summary of the key points discussed in this research paper on climate policy.”

Using Minimalist Prompts

A recent prompting approach suggests using minimalist prompts with numerical shortcuts:

• For straightforward answers (e.g., “Define blockchain”).
• For deeper analysis (e.g., “Discuss the implications of blockchain technology”).
• For fact-checking (e.g., “Is blockchain secure?”).
• For alternative perspectives (e.g., “What are critics saying about blockchain?”).

Organizing Searches with Custom Prompts

When grouping searches into collections, custom prompts can help maintain focus and consistency:

• Define Collection Goals: Clearly state the purpose of the collection, such as “Research on renewable energy.”
• Format Instructions: Include format instructions, like “Responses should be concise, bullet-pointed summaries,” for a uniform structure across related queries.

Best Practices for Prompting

• Know Your Goal: Be clear about what you want to achieve with the prompt.
• Be Specific and Clear: Avoid vague language to ensure precise answers.
• Give Context: Always provide relevant background information for clarity.
• Test and Refine: Experiment with your prompts and adjust as needed to get better results.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Vague Prompts: Ensure your instructions are specific to avoid unclear responses.
• Overloading the Prompt: Stick to one main question per prompt to avoid confusing the AI.
• Ignoring Context: Provide necessary background details to improve response accuracy.

Prompt Examples

• Market Research “I’m a product manager and need a summary of the latest market trends for electric bikes in the U.S. This will help me understand the current landscape for informed decision-making.”
• Legal Compliance “I run an online store and need a list of regulations affecting e-commerce businesses in Europe. Focus on data protection, consumer rights, and tax obligations.”
• Essay Help for Students “I’m a student writing a psychology paper and need an outline on the effects of social media on mental health. Focus on anxiety, depression, and self-esteem, including key studies and statistics.”
• Home Renovation Budgeting “I’m planning a home renovation and need a cost breakdown for renovating a 3-bedroom house. Include costs for materials, labor, permits, and additional expenses.”
• Car Purchase Comparison “I’m looking to buy a new SUV and need a comparison of safety features and fuel efficiency of 2023 models. Include crash test ratings, advanced safety technologies, and MPG for city and highway.”
• Travel Planning “I’m planning a trip to Japan and need a 7-day itinerary for Tokyo and Kyoto. Include must-see attractions, dining recommendations, day trips, and transportation between the cities.”
• Healthy Meal Planning “I have dietary restrictions and fitness goals. Create a 7-day gluten-free meal plan under 2000 calories per day, with a focus on protein and variety. Include recipes and a shopping list.”

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