Perplexity: The AI Search Tool That Will Save You Hours of Searching

No technical skills required - a simple guide for anyone who's ever felt lost in search results. And guess how many subscribers we have after one month?

Why dig through search results when Perplexity can do the work for you? (AI-generated image)

After the conference in Berlin and my visits to historic sites that I described here in The Planet newsletter, I continued my travels to the Dutch island, where I often live for a while and enjoy its nature. Spring is here, with warm days but still cool, humid nights. I see flowers popping up, and green shoots are everywhere in the nearby forest. But not everything that grows is always welcome.

A neighbor stopped by yesterday, concerned about a fungus spreading rapidly through her garden. We started with a traditional Google search, and fifteen minutes later, we were down a rabbit hole of conflicting advice, commercial products, and forum debates spanning the last decade.

"There must be a better way," she sighed.

I smiled and pulled out my phone. "Let me show you something that might change how you search forever."

I opened Perplexity and typed: "What's the best way to treat powdery mildew on roses in a home garden with environmental considerations?" Within seconds, we had a concise, organized answer that synthesized information from multiple sources—complete with prevention tips, advice on removing infected parts, and organic treatments.

My neighbor's eyes widened. "Why haven't I heard about this before?"

That's exactly why I'm writing today's newsletter.

For those just joining us, welcome to Screen Skills! This newsletter is designed to help you navigate the digital world with practical, straightforward advice—no technical jargon required. I focus on tools and techniques that give you the biggest benefit with the smallest learning curve.

Now, let's dive into today's main topic: how Perplexity AI can transform the way you search for information online.

What is Perplexity and Why Should You Care?

Perplexity is a new kind of search engine powered by artificial intelligence. Unlike traditional search engines that give you a list of links to explore, Perplexity attempts to answer your questions directly by gathering and summarizing information from across the web.

Think of Perplexity as having a knowledgeable research assistant who:

• Reads through dozens of websites in seconds

• Pulls out the most relevant information

• Organizes it into a clear, digestible answer

• Provides the sources so you can explore further if needed

For anyone who's ever felt overwhelmed by search results or tired of clicking through multiple websites to piece together an answer, Perplexity is a breath of fresh air.

How to Start Using Perplexity Today

Getting started with Perplexity is refreshingly simple:

1. Visit the website: Go to perplexity.ai in your web browser

2. Start searching: Type your question in the search bar and press enter (no account required for basic searches!)

3. Review your answer: Perplexity will generate a comprehensive response with information gathered from multiple sources

4. Explore sources: Click on the numbered references in the answer to see exactly where each piece of information came from

5. Ask follow-up questions: Type related questions to dig deeper into your topic, or choose from the suggested follow-up questions that Perplexity offers below each answer

That's it! No complex settings, no technical skills required. Just ask questions the way you naturally would in conversation.

When Perplexity Outshines Traditional Search

In my experience, Perplexity really shines in these situations:

Research-based questions: When you need a summary of a complex topic like "What are the latest developments in Alzheimer's treatment?" Perplexity will compile current research without you having to visit multiple medical websites.

Decision support: Questions like "What factors should I consider when buying an electric car?" get thorough, balanced responses that cover multiple perspectives.

How-to information: Ask "How do I propagate houseplants from cuttings?" and get step-by-step instructions synthesized from gardening experts.

Travel planning: Questions such as "How best to prepare for walking the Camino from France to Santiago de Compostela?" get you information on routes, accommodation options, packing suggestions, and seasonal considerations all in one place.

You can ask: “How best to prepare for walking the Camino de Santiago?” (That’s me walking The Way in 2022 :-)

Health information: While it doesn't replace medical advice, queries like "What are common symptoms of vitamin D deficiency?" provide well-sourced information from medical resources.

The time savings are substantial. What might take 30 minutes of clicking through search results can often be accomplished in 2-3 minutes with Perplexity.

Using the Perplexity App

I first started using the website and then downloaded the app on my MacBook, but as soon as I also downloaded the app on my iPhone, Perplexity really became my trusted assistant. I mostly work with voice recognition. Now, I just use the audio function to ask a question, and I get an answer spoken to me, which is visible when you click on the icon at the bottom left.

Recently, Perplexity AI updated its iOS app with significant improvements to its voice mode. This update, which became available around late February 2025, introduced a more natural-sounding voice system with six different voices to choose from. The interface was also revamped, making it more interactive and user-friendly. The voice mode now integrates seamlessly with the app's real-time search capabilities, allowing users to hear answers spoken aloud while also viewing live search results and links to sources. This update aimed to enhance the overall user experience, making the app feel more immersive and natural to use.

In addition to these voice improvements, the app has continued to evolve with regular updates addressing user feedback and technical issues, such as those related to voice-to-text functionality.

Tips for Getting Better Results from Perplexity

After using Perplexity daily for about 1.5 years now, I've discovered some techniques that help get the most useful answers:

1. Be specific with your questions: "What are the best hiking trails near Portland, Oregon for beginners with scenic views?" works better than "hiking Portland"

2. Specify your context: Include details like "I'm a beginner" or "I need budget-friendly options" to get more tailored responses

3. Ask for comparisons: "Compare cast iron vs. non-stick cookware for everyday use" yields well-organized pros and cons

4. Request formats: Try phrases like "Make a list of..." or "Create a timeline of..." to get information organized in a specific way

5. Use follow-up questions: Don't start over with a new search; build on your current topic with follow-up questions for deeper exploration

When Traditional Search Still Works Better

Despite its strengths, Perplexity isn't perfect for everything:

• Very recent news: For breaking news in the last few hours, traditional search often has more current information

• Highly specific local information: Details about small local businesses or very recent local events may be better found through Google

• Image searches: When you need to browse multiple images, traditional image search is still more efficient

• Finding specific websites: When you already know which site you want to visit

I find myself using both tools: Perplexity for research and learning and traditional search for quick navigation and very recent information.

One consideration worth mentioning is that AI-powered search tools like Perplexity use significantly more energy than traditional search engines. Recent studies suggest that a complex AI query can consume 10-15 times more energy than a standard Google search. AI models need to process and generate content rather than simply retrieve it. As an environmentally conscious user, I try to balance this against the time and efficiency benefits.

An Update on Our Screen Skills Journey

Tomorrow marks one month since I launched Screen Skills by sending out the first newsletter. Even before the official launch, some 20 people had already signed up. Today, I'm thrilled to report we've grown to an astonishing 449 subscribers!

Four weeks after launching the Screen Skills newsletter.

I consider that remarkably fast growth. Thank you all very much; if you already have your own Substack newsletter or are considering starting one, you'll recognize how motivating such growth can be. It also proves that there is a real need for a newsletter that makes technology more accessible without overwhelming technical details.

I especially appreciate those who've shared how they're already applying tips from previous newsletters. One reader told me he created their first AI-generated image for his family newsletter, while another used the Hemingway App to simplify her work emails.

For those considering support, your help makes this newsletter sustainable and allows me to invest more time in creating valuable content. I'm committed to keeping most content free while offering special perks to supporters as we grow.

Screen Skills Newsflash

Perplexity's Latest Upgrades: Perplexity recently launched its R1 reasoning model for deeper research capabilities and introduced "Spaces" – a feature that lets you create persistent research environments for ongoing projects. They've also added YouTube content to their sources, making video research much more efficient.

Mental Health-Focused Productivity: Apps like Forest and Daylio have integrated focus timers with mood tracking and guided breathing exercises. These thoughtful additions help balance productivity with well-being by encouraging regular breaks and stress management—perfect for those of us who sometimes forget to step away from our screens.

Sunsama for Better Time Management: If you struggle with realistic scheduling (don't we all?), Sunsama might be worth exploring. This tool helps visualize time allocation across tasks and integrates with Gmail and Notion. It shows you where your time actually goes, helping you make more informed decisions about your daily schedule.

IFTTT Automation Simplified: "If This, Then That" (IFTTT) now connects over 1,000 apps and services. For instance, you can save attachments from specific senders to your Dropbox automatically, and I have used it to silence my phone during calendar events. Creating these custom "Applets" requires no coding knowledge but can save countless small moments of friction throughout your day.

Your Questions Answered

A subscriber asked: "I'm overwhelmed by all the AI tools available now. If I only learn one or two, which would give me the most bang for my buck as a non-technical person?"

Great question! For non-technical users looking for immediate value, I'd recommend starting with just two: Perplexity (which we covered today) for research and learning and a simple AI image generator like Ideogram for creative projects. These tools have minimal learning curves but offer substantial benefits for everyday use. Once you're comfortable with these, ChatGPT would be a natural third addition for more specific help with writing and problem-solving.

Before I Sign Off

Based on your feedback and questions, I'm already working on ideas for future newsletters. What digital tools or skills would you like to see covered next? Drop a comment with your suggestions or challenges you're facing with technology.

Your questions shape what we explore in Screen Skills, so don't hesitate to reach out. I read every comment and message.

Thank you for being part of this journey. If you find value in these newsletters, consider becoming a paid subscriber. Not only will you support the continued growth of Screen Skills, but you'll also get an insider's view as we build this newsletter from the ground up.

As a paid subscriber, you'll join me behind the scenes to see what strategies work (and which don't) when growing on Substack. I'll share subscriber metrics, content performance data, and the practical lessons I'm learning along the way. It's perfect for anyone curious about the newsletter business or considering starting their own Substack publication.

Whether you're here for the practical tech tips or to learn about building a newsletter, I'm glad you're joining me on this adventure.

Until next time,

Alexander

P.S. Have you tried Perplexity yet? I'd love to hear about your experience!