Perplexity vs Google: an answer engine instead of search
User reports stopping Google Search entirely for everyday lookups in favor of cited AI answers.
Setup steps
- Use Perplexity as default search
Steps summarized from the original Reddit source ↗. Use “Copy” to grab them with the tools and source link, or copy an AI prompt.
Also reported by 2 other sources
- Ahrefs blog ↗: After a week, the writer says they use Perplexity about 90% of the time; Google is still needed for site: searches.
- Open Your AIs blog ↗: Two weeks of research searches: Perplexity replaced Google for about 80% of them; Google still wins for local, shopping and images.
Independent reports of the same kind of setup by different authors, each read by us on Oct 17, 2026. They add context and don't change our rating. How we count
Try it with AI
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Help me set up this automation using Perplexity: "Perplexity vs Google: an answer engine instead of search". Goal: replace Google Search. How it should work: - Trigger: Everyday question - Then: Ask Perplexity instead of Google - Result: Answer with cited sources Setup steps (summarized from the original source): 1. Use Perplexity as default search Guide me one step at a time. Ask me for anything you need (accounts, sheet or channel names) before you start. Safety rules: - Build and test with sample data first, and show me a sample result before anything goes live. - Keep anything that goes to other people (emails, posts, replies, record updates) as drafts for my review until I say otherwise. - Never send, post, buy, pay, delete or change records without my approval. - Tell me about any cost (paid plans, API usage) before I'd incur it, and help me set a spending limit. - Keep API keys and passwords out of shared docs and chats. - Privacy: Queries go to Perplexity. Based on: https://www.reddit.com/r/perplexity_ai/comments/1l1rsh9/completely_stopped_using_google_search/
Tool names link to each official site (opens in a new tab).
Running cost: Free to run Free; Pro is optional at $20/mo. No-code How we sort costs
App vs bot, side by side
| Old app / habit | Bot | |
|---|---|---|
| Tool | Google Search | Perplexity |
| Monthly cost | Free | Free; Pro $20/mo |
| Setup | None (already in use) | None (ready to use) · Beginner |
| Your time | Baseline | Not reported |
| Maintenance | Handled by vendor/you as before | None. |
| Privacy | Data stays with the app vendor | Queries go to Perplexity. |
Full comparison
| Replaces | Google Search |
|---|---|
| Bot / agent stack | Perplexity |
| Monthly cost before | Free |
| Monthly cost after | Free; Pro $20/mo |
| Setup time | None (ready to use) |
| Time saved | Not reported |
| Skill level | Beginner |
| Reliability | 3/5: commenters note Google still wins for local and exact-link lookups. |
| Maintenance | None. |
| Privacy & data | Queries go to Perplexity. |
| Best for | Research questions |
| Not for | Local businesses, exact URLs |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Cited answers
Cons
- Weaker for local/navigation
Source and evidence
Commenters note Google is still better for local and exact-link lookups.
Read the original Reddit source ↗
“Not reported” means the source doesn't say. We never fill gaps with guesses. Numbers marked “per author” or “vendor claim” are the source's own and weren't independently tested. Source check: Source (Reddit) blocked our fetcher on 2026-10-15; details from original read.
Our rating is an editorial opinion based on the public source above, not lab testing. Spot an error? Request a correction.
Plain-text summary (for search and AI assistants)
Perplexity vs Google: an answer engine instead of search. Replaces Google Search with Perplexity. Cost before: Free. Cost after: Free; Pro $20/mo. Setup: None (ready to use), Beginner. Time saved: Not reported. Reliability 3/5: 3/5: commenters note Google still wins for local and exact-link lookups. Best for: Research questions. Not for: Local businesses, exact URLs. Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/perplexity_ai/comments/1l1rsh9/completely_stopped_using_google_search/
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