Introduction
Since February 14, when Perplexity introduced its “Deep Research” feature, I became an avid user and immediately subscribed to the premium plan. After using it for a while, I found that it has almost become an integral part of my daily search workflow. Recently, during a trip to Okinawa, I witnessed its impressive real-world applications firsthand, so I would like to share my experiences.
What is Perplexity?
Perplexity is a free, AI-powered search engine with the following key features:
- Immediate search and usage without registration.
- Deep understanding of user queries to deliver structured and accurate answers.
- Every response includes source citations to ensure information authenticity and timeliness.
- Integration with multiple models such as Claude 3.7 Sonnet, GPT-4o, Gemini 2.0 Flash, and Grok-2 (the free version only offers the Auto model or advanced models with usage limits).
- Consolidation of diverse online resources and article content to provide comprehensive, source-cited answers.
- Proactive recommendations of related questions based on the search content and context to guide further exploration.
- Support for a Traditional Chinese interface since March (previously available only in Simplified Chinese, though responses could be in Traditional Chinese).
Perplexity aims to revolutionize traditional search methods by delivering direct, accurate, and reliable answers. Even when keywords are uncertain, it provides precise terms for effective searching, consolidation, and conclusions.
Pro Search
Provides 3 times more data sources than the free version, aggregated through the following models:
| Model Name | Company | Model Type |
|---|---|---|
| Sonar | Perplexity | Fast Model |
| Claude 3.7 Haiku | Anthropic | Advanced Model |
| GPT-4o | OpenAI | Versatile Model |
| Gemini 2.0 Flash | Fast Model | |
| Grok-2 | xAI (Elon Musk) | Latest Model |
For example, when conducting a professional search for “What to do if a watermelon isn’t sweet?”, Perplexity follows these steps:
| Step | Reasoning |
|---|---|
| 1 | Searching for ways to make a watermelon sweeter if it is not sweet |
| 2 | Write Answer |
Reasoning Search
Perplexity integrates multiple reasoning models to enhance its search capabilities, including the unbiased DeepSeek-R1 model, OpenAI’s o3-mini, and Claude 3.7 Sonnet Thinking. The search process focuses on multi-layered logical reasoning, making it well-suited for tackling complex problems that require step-by-step analysis (e.g., mathematical proofs, policy impact analysis). It breaks down the problem into several steps, resulting in more logical and reliable answers.
For example, when searching “What to do if a watermelon isn’t sweet?”, the chain-of-thought (CoT) proceeds as follows:
| Step | Reasoning |
|---|---|
| 1 | Searching for solutions or tips for making a non-sweet watermelon taste better |
| 2 | Alright, the user asks 'What to do if a watermelon isn’t sweet?' I need to examine the search results to identify methods to sweeten a watermelon. Since the results are in Chinese, I must carefully review each related piece. First, Result [1] mentions that in winter, adding natural vanilla extract and cane syrup, and vacuum packaging, can help spread the sweetness. However, it generally recommends using the whole fruit, so there might be other methods. For example, could tapping a kiwi to release ethylene, which ripens the fruit, be applicable to watermelon? This might need further confirmation. |
| 3 | Results [3] and [6] come from the same article, which discusses methods for selecting and preserving watermelons—considering aspects such as stem condition, surface patterns, bottom size, sound when tapped, and the color of the seeds in sliced watermelon. However, the user’s concern is how to sweeten an already purchased unsweet watermelon, not how to select one. Thus, the focus may need to be adjusted. Result [4] discusses reasons for a watermelon tasting bitter or bland, such as growing area, fertilizer use, or variety. However, the user might be more concerned with improving the sweetness at home rather than factors related to cultivation. |
| 4 | Result [5] mentions that for preservation, watermelon slices should be kept at 8-10°C, as overly cold temperatures can affect sweetness. This may be a key point—using proper refrigeration or avoiding excessively low temperatures. Results [2] and [5] both note that the sweetness, due to fructose, may vary with temperature changes; while fructose is perceived as sweeter at lower temperatures, too cold may dull the taste. Therefore, a moderate cold treatment is recommended, but not too long or too cold. |
| 5 | Synthesizing this information, possible solutions include:1. Physical method: For example, lightly tapping the watermelon to simulate natural ripening (similar to the kiwi method), though it's uncertain if this works for watermelon.2. Adding sweeteners: As Result [1] suggests using vanilla extract or syrup, although users might prefer natural methods.3. Refrigeration: Moderately refrigerate the watermelon to enhance the sweetness of fructose, as Result [1] and [5] mention soaking in ice water or refrigerating for one hour.4. Cooking method: Such as roasting (e.g., roasting persimmons for 20 minutes), though it's unclear if this applies to watermelon.5. Combining with other ingredients: Since Result [2] points out that watermelon has high sugar content, it can be paired with other foods to balance the flavor. |
| 6 | Check whether each method is supported: For example, Result [1] mentions that soaking in ice water for 15 minutes or refrigerating for 1 hour can enhance sweetness, as fructose tastes sweeter at lower temperatures. Additionally, Results [3] and [6] advise that once purchased, watermelons should be consumed immediately to prevent the seeds from absorbing nutrients that could reduce sweetness. If a watermelon has already been cut, it may not ripen further, though storage temperature can be adjusted. Moreover, Result [4] discusses issues like fertilizer application and variety, which users cannot change; hence, the focus should be on post-purchase treatment methods. |
| 7 | Possible solution steps: 1. Refrigeration or ice water soaking to enhance fructose sweetness. 2. Adding natural sweeteners such as honey or syrup. 3. Cooking methods, for instance, roasting or other culinary techniques (e.g., balancing watermelon juice with lemon). |
| 8 | Ensure proper storage to avoid overly cold conditions that may affect texture. Each recommendation must be supported by sources and correctly cited—for example, the ice-chilling method from [1][5], adding sweeteners from [1], and storage temperature advice from [3][5][6]. Finally, organize these methods by priority: simple, easy-to-follow methods (refrigeration and pairing with other foods) should come first, followed by adding sweeteners, and lastly other treatment methods. |
| 9 | Write Answer |
Deep Research
Deep research was the primary reason I chose to use Perplexity. This feature provides a more in-depth and comprehensive exploration, resolving issues where initial keywords might be incomplete or imprecise. By engaging in deep research, Perplexity can self-question and refine its queries, automatically adjusting and extending keywords to produce more refined search results, though it tends to be more time-consuming. In many cases, I prefer using Professional or Reasoning Search to balance efficiency and quality.
Similarly, when searching for “What to do if a watermelon isn’t sweet?”, here is the deep research chain-of-thought (CoT):
| Step | Reasoning | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I will perform an online search using the keyword "Watermelon Not Sweet, What to Do?" to find suggestions and solutions for handling unsweet watermelons. Through this search, I hope to uncover practical tips or recipes to improve the flavor of watermelons or make use of those that aren’t sweet. | |||||
| 2 | I discovered several methods to sweeten unsweet watermelons, including adding sugar and salt. Next, I will further search using the keyword "Watermelon Add Salt Remedy" to investigate the use of salt, confirming its scientific rationale and practical effectiveness, so as to provide a more comprehensive answer to "What to do if a watermelon isn’t sweet?" | |||||
| 3 | The information I found indicates that sprinkling salt can enhance the perceived sweetness of a watermelon, as salt’s osmotic effect helps boost its sweetness. Next, I will use the keyword "Watermelon Add Sugar Remedy" to search for recommendations on using sugar-based seasonings to further increase the watermelon’s sweetness, thereby providing additional solutions. | |||||
| 4 | I have gathered sufficient information to answer the question "What to do if a watermelon isn’t sweet?" Common remedies include sprinkling sugar or salt on the watermelon, processing it into beverages or slushies, all of which can effectively improve its taste. | |||||
| 5 | It appears that the user's question is "What to do if a watermelon isn’t sweet?"—that is, how to deal with an unsweet watermelon that has already been purchased. I need to compile methods from the search results on how to remedy unsweet watermelons, as well as possible tips for selecting sweet watermelons to avoid purchasing unsweet ones in the future. | |||||
| 6 | First, I will compile the remedy methods mentioned in the search results: 1. Add sugar: Sprinkle a spoonful of sugar evenly over freshly cut watermelon and refrigerate for a period before consumption. 2. Sprinkle salt: Lightly sprinkle salt on the cut surface of the watermelon; based on osmotic principles, the salt draws moisture out, reducing water content and relatively increasing sugar concentration. Additionally, salt can stimulate taste receptors to enhance perceived sweetness. 3. Add lemon juice: Drizzle some lemon juice on the watermelon to offer a refreshing taste and balance the sweetness with a touch of acidity. 4. Refrigerate: Place the watermelon in the refrigerator, as chilled watermelon tends to taste sweeter; the ideal storage temperature is around 8–10°C. 5. Juice with seasoning: Cut the unsweet watermelon into pieces, add plain water and sugar, and blend it into watermelon juice. 6. Alcohol treatment: Cut a piece from the stem end to serve as a lid, add a few drops of brandy or white wine into the cut, then cover the watermelon and refrigerate for about one hour. 7. Make desserts: Transform the watermelon into slushies or even make sticky rice balls with watermelon. | |||||
| 7 | Additionally, I need to compile some tips for selecting sweet watermelons to help users avoid buying unsweet ones in the future: Tips for selecting watermelons: 1. Sound test: Tap the exterior of the watermelon; if it produces a crisp sound, it indicates freshness. 2. Visual features: Choose watermelons with clearly defined stripes of varying shades on the surface. 3. Stem condition: Select watermelons with a slightly withered stem or where the stem area is sunken. 4. Surface patterns: The more distinct and clear the surface patterns, the sweeter the watermelon is likely to be. 5. Bottom size: Opt for watermelons whose bottom indent is slightly smaller than a 1-dollar coin. 6. Seed color: When buying pre-sliced watermelon, check the seed color in the flesh—the darker and more vibrant the seeds, the closer the fruit is to full ripeness. | |||||
| 8 | Additionally, here are some precautions regarding watermelon storage: 1. Once a watermelon is cut from the vine, it stops ripening. 2. Do not store it for an extended period; it is best to consume it immediately after purchase. 3. Overly cold temperatures can diminish its sweetness – uncut watermelons should be kept in a well-ventilated, cool place. | |||||
| 9 | Based on the compiled information above, I will write a comprehensive and in-depth report in Traditional Chinese to provide users with various methods for dealing with unsweet watermelons and tips for selecting them. | |||||
| 10 | Write the research report |
| Professional Search | Reasoning Search | Deep Research |
|---|---|---|
| Steps are concise, essentially based on the keywords provided by the user. The content from these sources is organized and output as the final answer. | Detailed logical reasoning that cites multiple search results for comparative analysis, and finally organizes and prioritizes the options. | Emphasizes search keywords and scientific principles, compiling more comprehensive suggestions or results to provide deeper, practical insights. |
My Common Use Cases
Following Current news
My primary use case is to consolidate web content, and Perplexity provides concise and direct answers that allow me to quickly grasp the relevant information.
For example, to learn about the recent earthquake in Bangkok, I use the keyword: Bangkok Earthquake. Its professional search output is as follows:
On March 28, 2025, a strong earthquake struck central Myanmar with a magnitude of 7.7 and a depth of about 10 km. The epicenter was located near Mandalay, Myanmar, but its impact spread across Southeast Asia, including Bangkok, Thailand.
The Situation in Bangkok
Building Damage: A 30-story building under construction in Bangkok collapsed due to the earthquake, resulting in at least 9 deaths, 9 injuries, and over 101 people missing. The area was declared a disaster zone, and emergency rescue operations were initiated.
Evacuation: Many high-rise buildings in Bangkok swayed during the earthquake, causing residents and workers to evacuate to the streets. Some hotel guests even fled in bathrobes and swimsuits.
Transportation Impact: The earthquake led to the suspension of certain metro and light rail lines, exacerbating traffic congestion in the city.
Aftershocks: Experts predict that minor aftershocks may occur in the next one to two weeks, so caution is advised.
The Situation in Myanmar
Severe Impact: Over 1,000 people have died in Myanmar, with thousands injured. Buildings in Mandalay and surrounding areas collapsed severely, and roads were deformed due to the earthquake.
International Aid: The Myanmar government declared a state of emergency and called for international assistance.
Other Impacts
Economic Disruption: The Bangkok Stock Exchange suspended trading, and several factories, including those of Honda and Nissan, halted operations.
Structural Safety Inspections: The Thai government has begun inspecting damaged buildings to ensure safety.
This earthquake not only caused significant casualties but also had far-reaching effects on regional infrastructure and economic activities. Authorities are fully engaged in rescue and recovery efforts while urging the public to remain vigilant for potential aftershocks.
Extended keywords are provided at the end of the results, which help guide further questions and subsequent searches.
Analysis of Foreign Sources
For instance, last week during a trip to Okinawa, I wanted to try some locally recommended Japanese steak restaurants. You can use a site operator with specific keywords: site:note.com "沖縄 名護 ステーキ" -"観光客" -"チェーン"
The above keywords search exclusively on Japan’s blogging platform note.com, targeting “Okinawa”, “Nago”, and “steak restaurants” while excluding “tourists” and “chain stores”.
Since most content on note.com is in Japanese, Perplexity conveniently outputs the results in Traditional Chinese:
| Restaurant Name | Type | Menu Highlights | Price Range | Opening Hours | Other Features | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 朝日レストラン | Traditional Establishment | Filet steak, Wagyu steak, and pork cutlet served with vegetables and garlic rice set | Mid-to-high price | No fixed hours (often busy at night; reservations recommended) | Teppanyaki-style table-side cooking, baseball player autographs on display, a local favorite | ★★★★★ |
| とびきりステーキ | High Cost-Effective Restaurant | 200g steak for ¥1000, 300g sirloin for ¥2380, 1kg extra-large steak, served with unlimited salad, onion soup, and rice refill | Low-to-mid price | Lunch 11:30–14:30, Dinner 18:00–21:30; closed on Mondays | Various sauce options, diverse seating (bar, table, Japanese-style), catering to various needs | ★★★★☆ |
| ステーキ＆シーフードレストラン58 | Combined Steak & Seafood Restaurant | Selected filet steak starting at ¥2200, Japanese Black Wagyu available, with optional lobster/scallop with sea urchin sauce | Lunch from ¥1000, Dinner from ¥2000 | 11:30–21:30 (last order at 20:30); reservations not accepted on the 29th of each month | 100 seats available, outdoor terrace and tatami area, high customer satisfaction (96% ambiance, 92% food) | ★★★★☆ |
| 名護ステーキ | Popular Local Spot | Moderately cooked steak with a tender texture | Mid-range (price unspecified) | No fixed opening hours (popular, may require a 1-hour wait) | Highly recommended by local gourmets; excellent meat quality | ★★★★☆ |
Typically, I use Google Maps to evaluate negative reviews, price fairness, and the latest customer feedback before deciding whether to visit a venue. Based on my experience so far, this method has not led to any significant mistakes or pitfalls.
Consolidated Subtitles
Perplexity integrates multiple large language models and can function as a general-purpose language model, offering features such as content analysis, organization, and summarization.
For example, referring to the article “Using ChatGPT for YouTube Video Analysis and Summarization”, you can copy and paste the obtained video subtitles into Perplexity, and its chain-of-thought model will effectively consolidate them.
Additionally, you can paste an entire article into Perplexity to quickly obtain precise summaries and organized insights.
Daily Mobile Use
For everyday mobile usage, you can integrate it with Siri and Shortcuts. Using Siri’s voice input, the system converts spoken content into keywords and automatically sends them to Perplexity for querying. This method effectively overcomes Siri’s native limitations, delivering more accurate and direct results for daily information searches.
Conclusion
Overall, my experience shows that Perplexity performs on par with ChatGPT. With the backing of large language model learning and an integrated web search mechanism, Perplexity can instantly capture online data, compare, analyze, and generate suggestions—overcoming the limitations of traditional single-model systems and enhancing both the accuracy and diversity of search results.
Its strength lies in its chain-of-thought reasoning capability, which infers and extends based on user intent to provide answers that better meet the needs while proactively suggesting potential follow-up questions, thereby delivering a more comprehensive conversational experience. Furthermore, Perplexity is not restricted to a single model architecture; its high flexibility and scalability make it my top choice for daily queries.
In practical tests—for instance, on the last day of a trip to Okinawa, when mobile data was nearly exhausted and speeds were limited to about 150 kbps, rendering Google Search almost unusable—using Perplexity or ChatGPT with minimal text input quickly provided integrated answers from multiple webpages, significantly reducing data usage and maintaining high query efficiency even in low-bandwidth environments, which was truly impressive.
I originally purchased Perplexity at full price, and I had two magic codes available that offered a free one-year subscription. As of April 2, 2025, both codes have been fully claimed.
Taiwan Mobile users with monthly 4G/5G plans of NT$599 or above are eligible for a one-year free Perplexity Pro subscription. The application deadline is June 30, 2025, and redemption and activation must be completed by July 14, 2025.