UPDATE: A groundbreaking feature from Perplexity has just been unveiled, allowing users to transform their AI search experience to mirror the popular NotebookLM tool. This new capability enables users to harness a source-grounded approach, providing answers strictly based on their own uploaded materials.
Perplexity’s innovative “Set sources for search” feature, formerly known as Focus, offers users a powerful way to control the information fetched during queries. By toggling off all default categories, users can achieve a personalized environment where responses are solely derived from selected files, ensuring accuracy and relevance.
Just announced, this feature is a game changer for students, researchers, and professionals who rely on precise information. Unlike NotebookLM, which can be limited by its static database, Perplexity allows users to blend their personal documents with real-time web search capabilities. This flexibility is essential for those needing current context alongside their private knowledge base.
Users can easily access this feature by creating a new thread in Perplexity and clicking the Globe icon. Options include Web, Academic, Social, and Finance categories. For instance, the Academic option fetches from scholarly articles, while the Finance category focuses on critical market data. With the toggle off, users can upload lecture notes or other documents, ensuring that queries yield answers based solely on their chosen sources.
Why This Matters: The urgency of having reliable, immediate access to accurate information cannot be overstated. In today’s fast-paced environment, being able to generate source-specific answers without the clutter of irrelevant data is invaluable. With this latest enhancement, Perplexity is positioned as a formidable alternative for users seeking a streamlined, controlled search experience.
Users can expect a seamless transition from NotebookLM’s structured approach to Perplexity’s lightweight system. For example, after uploading relevant documents and disabling the default web search, queries will return responses tailored to the uploaded content. This ensures a focused and efficient search process.
While Perplexity does not replicate all of NotebookLM’s learning features, such as mind maps or audio overviews, it does allow users to create flashcards and quizzes from uploaded materials. This functionality can enhance study sessions and improve retention without the burden of setting up multiple notebooks.
As AI technology continues to evolve, this new feature from Perplexity reflects a growing trend towards personalized, user-driven information retrieval. Users who prefer source-grounded responses will find this tool an efficient alternative, as it streamlines the process of accessing curated knowledge.
Next Steps: Users are encouraged to explore the new feature immediately. With its potential to revolutionize how we interact with AI for information retrieval, Perplexity’s latest update is set to make waves in academic and professional circles alike. As more individuals discover this functionality, expect increased discussions around its benefits and applications.
Stay tuned for further updates as more users share their experiences and insights into this innovative approach to AI-powered search. Don’t miss out—share this news with colleagues and peers who could benefit from enhanced search capabilities today!