🔍 Perplexity’s Top 20 Tips & Tricks for Using AI

Search-driven questions, structured answers, and responsible research with AI.

How to use these tips: Perplexity excels at research-style questions with sources. Use these tips together—ask clear questions, review citations, and iterate as your understanding deepens.
🧠 Phase 1: Prompting Basics

1. Be Specific

Clearly state the task, audience, length, tone, and format you want.

“Summarize recent research on electric vehicle adoption in the U.S. for a college-level audience.”

2. Provide Context

Share your goal, subject area, constraints, and what “good” looks like.

“I’m writing a policy brief on renewable energy incentives in Florida.”

3. Ask for Structured Output

Request headings, bullet points, tables, or code blocks.

“List the findings as bullet points with sources.”

4. Break Tasks into Steps

Complex requests work better as a sequence of smaller prompts.

“First identify key trends, then explain each in one paragraph.”

5. Iterate and Refine

Ask the AI to revise, improve, or expand earlier responses.

“Refine this answer and focus more on economic impacts.”
⚙️ Phase 2: Getting Better Answers

6. Assign a Role

Tell the AI who it is to shape responses.

“Act as a business librarian explaining this database.”

7. Provide Examples

Share sample text and ask for similar output.

“Here’s a strong paragraph—write another like it.”

8. Focus on One Goal per Prompt

Limit each prompt to one primary task.

“Just explain the methodology used in this study.”

9. Ask for Explanations

Request reasoning or step-by-step logic.

“Explain how the authors reached this conclusion.”

10. Compare Options

Ask for pros, cons, or rankings.

“Compare public vs. private datasets for this topic.”
🧪 Phase 3: Responsible & Safe Use

11. Verify Facts

Always double-check facts and citations.

“Which of these claims are supported by peer-reviewed sources?”

12. Protect Sensitive Information

Avoid entering confidential or personal data.

“Remove identifying details before summarizing this case.”

13. Be Transparent

Disclose AI use when required.

“Note that AI was used to brainstorm initial ideas.”

14. Own the Final Work

Ensure conclusions are your own.

“Rewrite this section in my own voice.”

15. Watch for Bias

Ask for balanced perspectives.

“Identify potential bias in these sources.”
🛡️ Phase 4: Workflow & Productivity

16. Create Prompt Templates

Save reusable prompts for recurring tasks.

“Create a reusable prompt for market analysis.”

17. Combine AI with Other Tools

Use AI alongside notes, data, or code.

“Analyze these survey results and summarize trends.”

18. Use AI as a Tutor

Ask for explanations or practice questions.

“Quiz me on the key concepts from this article.”

19. Timebox Your AI Use

Set limits to avoid over-iteration.

“Give me one final revision—no alternatives.”

20. Revisit Your AI Practices

Adapt how you use AI as tools evolve.

“Update this workflow based on new features.”
Written by Perplexity.
Reformatted for LibGuides and the AI Library by ChatGPT.
Edited by Peter Z. McKay.