Search engines are fundamentally changing in 2026. Perplexity AI has evolved beyond simple AI search with Deep Research powered by Claude Opus 4.6, Smart Memory features, and a comprehensive Model Council system. This guide covers everything about Perplexity AI as of February 2026.
What is Perplexity AI? 2026 Positioning
Perplexity AI combines real-time web search with large language models to provide clear answers with cited sources. Unlike ChatGPT, every answer includes references you can fact-check, making it ideal for research and professional use.
February 2026 Major Updates
1. Deep Research + Claude Opus 4.6
Deep Research now runs on Claude Opus 4.6, which achieved top scores on Google DeepMind Deep Search QA and Scale AI Research Rubric benchmarks. It breaks complex questions into sub-questions, researches each independently, then synthesizes comprehensive reports.
2. Memory Added to Model Council
Model Council is Perplexity’s ensemble system that compares multiple AI model responses. The February update integrates user memory, allowing personalized evaluation of responses based on your preferences and expertise.
3. Improved History Search
Find previous conversations using semantic search, not just keywords. You can now find conversations with vague descriptions like 'my Python question from last week.'
4. Kimi K2.5 Thinking Model
Moonshot AI’s Kimi K2.5 Thinking model has been added, specializing in mathematics, coding, and logical reasoning.
Pricing Comparison 2026
The free plan includes basic AI search and 3 Deep Research sessions per day. The Pro plan at $20/month includes unlimited Deep Research, access to Claude Opus 4.6 and GPT-4o, full memory features, and unlimited file uploads.
Practical Usage Guide
Effective Deep Research
Be specific about your goal, specify the desired output format, and always verify the reference links provided in each section.
Focus Modes
Use Academic for scholarly papers, YouTube for video content, Reddit for community opinions, and Wolfram Alpha for calculations.
Perplexity API for Developers
The Search API now supports Vercel AI SDK and the last_updated_filter parameter to search only for recent information, making it perfect for real-time applications.
Conclusion
Perplexity AI has moved beyond being just an AI search engine in February 2026. The Deep Research plus Opus 4.6 combination delivers more accurate and comprehensive research than any previous AI tool. For anyone who regularly needs fact-based, accurate information, Perplexity Pro at $20/month delivers excellent value.
댓글
댓글 쓰기