Perplexity AI and Chrome: Extensions, Search Settings, Privacy — Quick Guide
Perplexity AI continues to blur the line between search and answers, and Google Chrome remains the default browser for millions. Put them together and you get a faster, citation-rich way to research right from your address bar. This guide explains how Perplexity AI works in Chrome, how to install and use the official extensions, how to set Perplexity as your default search engine, and what to know about privacy and recent news around the company. Along the way, you’ll find practical tips to make your day-to-day browsing more productive.
1) What is Perplexity AI and why use it in Chrome
Perplexity AI is an AI-powered search engine that answers questions conversationally and cites sources inline, so you can quickly verify claims and dig deeper. It blends large language models with live web results and supports follow-up questions, which makes it ideal for research, quick summaries, and comparisons. Wikipedia
Because Chrome is the most widely used browser, adding Perplexity into Chrome means you can ask, refine, and verify without switching tabs or tools. You can keep your preferred sites and extensions while upgrading the way you search.
2) Installing the Perplexity AI Chrome extensions
You have two official options on the Chrome Web Store:
- Perplexity – AI Companion: a side-panel style assistant for asking questions while you browse. The listing states the developer disclosed it will not collect or use your data, and that it does not sell data to third parties outside approved use cases. Always review the current disclosure yourself before installing. Chrome Web Store
- Perplexity – AI Search: a lightweight helper that lets you search Perplexity directly from Chrome’s address bar and prompts page. The listing highlights “transparent sourcing” and lets you switch your default search over to Perplexity. Chrome Web Store
How to install (quick steps):
- Open the Chrome Web Store page for either extension.
- Click Add to Chrome → Add extension.
- Pin it: click the puzzle icon in Chrome → pin the extension so it’s always one click away. Chrome Web Store
3) Making Perplexity your default search in Chrome
If you install the AI Search extension, you can set Perplexity as the default engine during setup. If you skip that step, you can change it later:
- In Chrome, go to Settings → Search engine.
- Choose Perplexity from the drop-down (or add it if prompted).
- Test it: type a natural-language question in the address bar and press Enter. You should land on a Perplexity result with citations you can open in new tabs. Chrome Web Store
Tip: Keep Google as your default and assign Perplexity a custom keyword (e.g., px). Then type px + space + your question to route only those searches to Perplexity. This keeps your habits intact while giving you an “answer mode” on demand.
4) Everyday workflows that save time
- Source-first summaries: Ask Perplexity to “summarize this page with citations” while reading long reports; then scan the sources it cites and open the ones that matter. Wikipedia
- Compare faster: Prompt with “Compare X vs. Y—focus on pricing, performance, and support; link sources.” You get a side-by-side style answer with outbound links. Wikipedia
- Query chains: Start broad (“Explain federated learning for marketers”) and immediately follow with “Now give a 90-second client summary.” The conversational thread keeps context. Wikipedia
- Address-bar research: With the AI Search extension, ask full questions right from the Omnibox and hit Enter—no separate app needed. Chrome Web Store
5) Privacy, data, and responsible use
Before installing any AI tool, review both the Chrome Web Store data disclosures and the company’s privacy policy, because settings and practices can evolve.
- The AI Companion’s Chrome Web Store page states the developer disclosed it “will not collect or use your data” and that data is not sold to third parties outside approved use cases. Treat disclosures as point-in-time, and re-check them periodically. Chrome Web Store
- Perplexity’s site publishes a privacy policy describing how it collects, uses, and discloses information across its services. Read it directly and decide which settings match your risk profile. Perplexity AI
You should also stay aware of industry debates around web crawling and news content. For example, Cloudflare recently alleged that Perplexity used undeclared crawlers that ignored or evaded robots.txt directives; that post sparked discussion across the developer and publisher communities. Review both sides of such claims and make an informed decision about how you engage with AI search. The Cloudflare Blog
Good-practice checklist:
- Use Perplexity in Chrome for research and synthesis, but open and read the cited sources before you rely on critical facts.
- Avoid pasting sensitive or confidential information into any third-party tool.
- Revisit extension permissions and data disclosures after updates.
6) Recent news you should know
Perplexity has grown quickly and has been in the headlines. Reports in mid-2025 noted new funding that pushed the company’s valuation into the high-billions. In August 2025, Business Insider reported the company is seeking more funding at around a $20B valuation. Yahoo Finance
Perplexity also drew attention with a non-binding $34.5B bid to acquire Google’s Chrome browser, which many observers characterized as bold marketing. While unlikely to succeed, the move underscores Perplexity’s ambition in a market dominated by Google. Axios
Why does this matter for Chrome users? Faster product iteration—new features in the Chrome extensions, improved models behind the scenes, and possibly deeper integrations—is a direct result of ambition and funding.
7) Troubleshooting and pro tips
- Perplexity doesn’t appear in the search engine list: Reinstall the AI Search extension, then reload Chrome’s settings; the engine should register. Chrome Web Store
- You want the assistant always visible: Pin the AI Companion and open it in Chrome’s side panel to keep answers next to the page you’re reading. Chrome Web Store
- You prefer Google for generic queries: Keep Google as default and use a custom keyword (px) for Perplexity, so you choose when to invoke it.
- Verify sources quickly: In Perplexity’s result, open the cited links in background tabs with Ctrl/Cmd+Enter; skim them before you trust numbers or quotes. Wikipedia
8) Conclusion
Perplexity AI inside Google Chrome gives you a quicker, more transparent path from question to answer. You install one or both official Chrome extensions, route queries through Perplexity when you need synthesis with citations, and keep Google for broad discovery—no need to choose one forever. You should, however, read the latest privacy disclosures, stay informed about the crawler debate, and double-check sources before you act. When you follow these practices, you’ll get the speed of AI with the confidence of traditional search.
Read more knowledgeful articles at Zero Theories.
FAQs
1) Is Perplexity AI free to use in Chrome?
Yes. You can use Perplexity for free; a Pro plan adds advanced models and extra capabilities. Check the current plan details on the site. Wikipedia
2) What’s the difference between AI Companion and AI Search?
AI Companion lives in Chrome as a panel for on-page Q&A. AI Search focuses on sending address-bar queries to Perplexity and making Perplexity the default search engine.
3) Is it safe to set Perplexity as my default search in Chrome?
Safety depends on your comfort with the tool, its privacy policy, and Chrome Web Store disclosures. Read both, then decide. You can always keep Google as default and invoke Perplexity with a keyword when needed. Perplexity
4) Why is Perplexity in the news lately?
Recent reports cite rapid fundraising and a headline-grabbing bid to buy Google’s Chrome browser—seen by many as a marketing move that signals aggressive expansion plans. Business Insider
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Features, pricing, and policies related to Perplexity AI and Google Chrome may change over time. Readers should verify details directly with the official sources before making decisions or installing software.
