Perplexity AI Introduces Feature to Transform Search Results into Shareable Web Pages

In recent years, AI-powered tools have made significant strides in simplifying complex information through summaries of web pages. These features are now a staple in many AI-centric applications, aiming to make it easier for users to navigate the vast expanse of online content.

However, some of these tools are taking their functionality a step further by offering detailed and well-formatted web pages based on user search queries. The Arc browser’s Arc Search app is an early example of this trend. Apple is rumored to be working on its own smart recap feature for web pages and articles, which would undoubtedly provide users with more tailored results.

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Perplexity AI: A New Player in the Game

The latest addition to this trend is Perplexity AI, a unicorn that aims to revolutionize the way we interact with online content. The company’s innovation lies in its AI-powered tool called Perplexity Pages, which enables users to create visually appealing web pages based on their search queries.

How Perplexity Pages Works

Perplexity Pages is accessible through the library section of the app, where free and paid users can find the option to create a new page. To get started, users simply need to enter a prompt, such as "Information about Sahara Desert." The AI tool will then begin creating a detailed article with different sections.

One of the standout features of Perplexity Pages is its ability to adapt to user preferences. Users can select an audience type – beginner, advanced, or anyone – to shape the tone of the generated text. This ensures that the content is tailored to the intended audience’s level of understanding.

Algorithms and Section Management

Perplexity claims that its algorithms work to create a detailed article with various sections. Users can ask the AI tool to rewrite or reformat any sections, or even remove them altogether. Additionally, users can add new sections by prompting the tool to write about specific subtopics.

To make the pages more engaging, Perplexity also helps users find and insert relevant media items such as images and videos. These multimedia elements enhance the overall user experience and provide visual breaks for those who prefer a more interactive format.

Publishing and Sharing

The web pages created with Perplexity Pages are not only publishable but also searchable through Google. Users can share the link to these pages with others, allowing them to ask follow-up questions on the topic. This feature encourages collaboration and discussion among users, making it an invaluable resource for research and knowledge sharing.

Turning Conversation Threads into Pages

In a remarkable move, Perplexity has also made it possible for users to turn their existing conversation threads into pages with just one click. This functionality takes advantage of the AI tool’s ability to analyze conversations and present the information in a clear and concise manner.

Interview with Henry Modisett, Head of Design at Perplexity

In an exclusive interview with TechCrunch, Henry Modisett, the head of design at Perplexity, shed light on the company’s motivations behind creating Perplexity Pages. Modisett revealed that the team wanted to leverage their core technology to create a more sharable format for research.

Background and Inspiration

Interestingly, Modisett spent over eight years working as a product designer at Quora, where he observed users sharing their search pages with others. This insight inspired him to develop Perplexity Pages, which aims to provide a more presentable format for information curation.

Design Challenges

Modisett noted that while the AI engine can generate content quickly, it takes a couple of minutes for the tool to create a page. He highlighted the design challenge of balancing speed with accuracy and user experience.

Future Developments

As Perplexity continues to evolve, we can expect to see further innovations in AI-powered web pages. The company’s commitment to improving the user experience is evident in its ongoing efforts to refine the algorithm and enhance the platform’s features.

Conclusion

Perplexity Pages marks a significant milestone in the development of AI-powered tools for content creation. By providing users with detailed and well-formatted web pages, Perplexity has raised the bar for online information sharing. As this technology continues to advance, we can expect to see more sophisticated applications that will revolutionize the way we interact with online content.