How to make Perplexity AI your browser’s default search engine

A recent advancement in AI-powered search allows users to set Perplexity AI as their default search engine in major web browsers, offering an alternative to traditional search engines for specific use cases.

Key advantages of Perplexity AI: Perplexity offers an ad-free search experience with improved research capabilities and interactive follow-up questioning features.

• The platform provides news summaries and deep research tools without prioritizing paid content in search results
• Users can ask follow-up questions while retaining context from their original search
• The service is particularly useful for research-oriented queries where traditional search engines may fall short

Implementation in Chrome: Setting up Perplexity in Chrome requires a few simple steps through the browser settings.

• Navigate to Chrome Settings > Search Engine > Manage search engines and site search
• Add Perplexity using the URL: https://www.perplexity.ai/?q=%s
• Users can set it as the default or use the “perp” shortcut for specific searches
• The setup process integrates seamlessly with Chrome’s existing search functionality

Firefox integration process: Firefox users can implement Perplexity through a third-party extension.

• Install the Search Engines Helper extension from the Firefox Add-ons store
• Configure Perplexity using the same URL structure as Chrome
• Access Settings > Search to set Perplexity as the default search engine
• The extension’s source code is available on GitHub for transparency

Practical applications: The AI-powered search engine demonstrates particular strength in specialized research scenarios.

• Works effectively for complex queries requiring detailed information
• Supports contextual follow-up questions while maintaining search history
• Can be used alongside traditional search engines for different purposes
• Integration with browsers like Arc allows profile-specific search engine settings

Looking ahead: While Perplexity AI represents a significant step forward in search technology, it’s important to note that like all search engines, it’s not infallible and results should be verified for accuracy. The platform’s ability to combine AI capabilities with traditional search functionality suggests a potential shift in how users interact with search engines, particularly for research-intensive tasks.