# New Perplexity Ads: What Marketers Need to Know **URL:** https://www.singlegrain.com/blog/n/perplexity-ads/ **Published:** 2024-04-03 **Updated:** 2025-02-12 **Author:** Selena Templeton **Summary:** This article is all about Perplexity ads\. Perplexity\.ai has initiated partnerships with prominent brands, including Nike and Marriott, to implement this advertising model\. These collaborations aim to introduce &\#8220;sponsored&\#8221; questions,\.\.\. --- This article is all about Perplexity ads. Perplexity.ai has initiated partnerships with prominent brands, including Nike and Marriott, to implement this advertising model. These collaborations aim to introduce “sponsored” questions, featuring AI-generated answers approved by the advertisers. The company plans to roll out this system by the end of the year, focusing on premium brands. Why the related questions section? Apparently, that section accounts for 40% of all the AI-powered search platform’s queries. The company also said that the ads will be relevant to the search query and native to the context. [Ads have already begun appearing in Perpelxity](https://www.perplexity.ai/hub/blog/why-we-re-experimenting-with-advertising) for some select accounts, with more being qualified to run them before rolling them out for everyone. Let’s take a quick look at this announcement and see why you, the marketer, should care. ### [**TABLE OF CONTENTS:**](javascript:;) - **[Key Highlights:](#key-highlights)** - **[What Is Perplexity.ai?](#h.beij2edv3lyw)** - **[Innovating Search: Perplexity Ads in Its Search Results](#h.7feuy691b7i)** - [The Pros and Cons of AI-Powered Advertising](#h.w17pccsllhn3) - **[What to Know About Perplexity’s New Ads](#h.5hjor4g8f0vh)** - **[Last Word on Perplexity Ads](#last-word-on-perplexity-ads)** - **[Related Video](#related-video)** ## **Key Highlights:** - Perplexity.ai is **integrating ads into its search results,** aiming to balance revenue generation with user experience. - The move reflects a strategic effort to sustain and enhance the service, aligning with industry trends in AI-powered advertising. - Pros of AI-powered ads include **precise targeting,** **improved ROI** and **efficiency,** while cons involve potential **data privacy concerns** and **dependence on data quality.** - Perplexity’s user base spans programmers, students, writers and other professionals, with significant usage in Indonesia, the United States and India. - Marketers should **consider the relevance and targeting of ads** on Perplexity.ai, given its growing user base and evolving advertising model. [Help Me Level Up with AI](javascript:;) ## **What Is Perplexity.ai?** For anyone who has not yet heard of it (I only learned of this tool a month or so ago), [Perplexity.ai](https://www.perplexity.ai/) is a conversational search engine that answers queries with natural language predictive text. It also includes videos and images in the response, as well as the sources it’s cited in a neat row at the top of its answer: ![Perplexity.ai's interface](https://www.singlegrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image11.png)It was [launched in 2022](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perplexity.ai) (who knew?) and generates responses using web sources with links cited within the text to which you can ask follow-up questions. It’s basically a cross between Google search and [ChatGPT](https://www.singlegrain.com/blog/n/chatgpt-prominent-links/) conversations. ![Perplexity, an AI-powered conversational search engine](https://www.singlegrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Perplexity1.png) ![screenshot of Perplexity.ai search results](https://www.singlegrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Perplexity2.png) Operating on a freemium model, Perplexity.ai’s free product leverages OpenAI’s GPT-3.5 model along with its own enhancements. You can’t save threads in the free version, but there is a paid version, called [Perplexity Pro](https://www.perplexity.ai/hub/faq/what-is-perplexity-pro), or Pro Search, which allows you to upload files, including images, save your threads, and generate images using AI. It also asks you questions to refine its answers. **Related Content:** [ChatGPT Gets Prominent Links: What You Need to Know](https://www.singlegrain.com/blog/n/chatgpt-prominent-links/) ## **Innovating Search: Perplexity Ads in Its Search Results** So Perplexity just announced that it’s now incorporating advertisements into its search results. In contrast to its original ad-free model, this new model is about opening up more revenue avenues for the company while maintaining the balance between monetization and user experience. (Hopefully. I’m looking at _you_, [Google](https://www.singlegrain.com/blog/google-ads-strategies/).) In line with this strategy, Perplexity has launched a program to share ad revenue with publishers. Initial partners include TIME, Der Spiegel, and Fortune. This initiative aims to foster collaborative relationships and ensure fair compensation for content creators. In addition to its main response, Perplexity also includes three related questions at the bottom, not unlike Google. According to the company’s chief business officer Dmitry Shevelenko: “[These related questions](https://www.adweek.com/media/gen-ai-search-engine-perplexity-has-a-plan-to-sell-ads/), which account for 40% of Perplexity’s queries, are where the company will start introducing native ads, by letting brands influence these questions.” ![Perplexity.ai related questions, which is where Perplexity ads will be shown](https://www.singlegrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Perplexity3-e1712184455546.png) Perplexity’s decision to integrate ads into its platform is not just about the bottom line. It’s also a strategic move to sustain and improve its service. Running ads can, of course, provide the resources to continue iterating its platform and stay ahead of the competition. However, this new feature raises important questions about how advertisements will be seamlessly woven into search results without compromising the quality and integrity that users have come to expect. I mean, we’ve all grumbled about Google’s increasing number and size of ads at the top of the SERPs…so, we shall see. ### **The Pros and Cons of AI-Powered Advertising** The use of AI in targeting and placing ads – which, of course, is not exactly new (think [programmatic ads](https://www.singlegrain.com/blog/programmatic-advertising-101/)), but it has evolved quite rapidly recently – is promising for creating more relevant and engaging user experiences. However, the integration of AI-generated sponsored content raises concerns about user trust and content authenticity. It’s crucial for Perplexity to ensure that sponsored answers are clearly labeled to maintain transparency and avoid misleading users. **Pros of AI-powered ads:** - **Targeting Precision:** AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data to identify patterns and insights, which makes for highly targeted advertising that reaches the right audience at the right time. - **Improved ROI:** By optimizing ad placements and personalizing messages, AI can enhance engagement rates, conversions and, thus, [better ROAS](https://www.singlegrain.com/blog/programmatic-advertising-case-studies/) for marketing campaigns. - **Efficiency and Automation:** [AI automates routine tasks](https://www.singlegrain.com/blog/ms/ai-marketing-automation/) such as bid management and audience segmentation, which saves you time and reduces the potential for human error (although you still have to be wary of baked-in biases). - **Dynamic Content Optimization:** AI can test and optimize various elements of ads in real time, including images, [headlines](https://www.singlegrain.com/copywriting/how-to-write-hero-headlines-to-skyrocket-click-through-rates/) and calls to action. - **Predictive Analytics:** AI’s ability to predict future trends based on past and current data can help businesses stay ahead of the curve by tailoring their advertising strategies to meet anticipated changes in consumer behavior. On the other hand, the challenge will be to align its advertising model with user expectations. **Cons of AI-powered ads:** - **Complexity and Integration Challenges:** Implementing AI in advertising strategies can be complex, so it requires significant [technical skills](https://www.singlegrain.com/blog/a/ai-skills-resources/) to integrate it with existing systems. - **Data Privacy Concerns:** The extensive data collection and analysis involved in AI-powered advertising raise concerns about consumer [data privacy](https://www.singlegrain.com/blog/ms/data-privacy-and-security/) and the ethical use of data. ![Apple iOS permission to track](https://www.singlegrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Apple-iOS-permission-to-track.png) - **Lack of Creativity:** While AI excels at optimizing and personalizing content, it tends to lack the creative intuition that [human marketers](https://www.singlegrain.com/blog/ms/ai-vs-human/) bring to advertising campaigns. - **Dependence on Data Quality:** AI’s effectiveness is heavily dependent on the quality and quantity of data it has access to. Poor data can lead to inaccurate targeting and less effective campaigns. - **Costs:** While AI can save costs in the long term through efficiency gains, the initial investment in technology and expertise can be significant, making it less accessible for small businesses. The platform’s ability to integrate ads without detracting from its core value proposition — providing accurate, fast and relevant search results — will be important in maintaining user trust. On [Perplexity’s About Page](https://www.perplexity.ai/hub/about), it _used_ to say (last week): “Perplexity was founded on the belief that searching for information should be a straightforward, efficient experience, **free from the influence of advertising-driven models.**” But now it says: “Perplexity was founded on the belief that searching for information should be a straightforward, efficient experience.” So we shall see. **Related Content:** [How to Optimize Your Brand for ChatGPT](https://www.singlegrain.com/blog/ms/optimize-your-brand-for-chatgpt/) 🤖 ## **What to Know About Perplexity’s New Ads** With [15 million monthly active users](https://searchengineland.com/perplexity-citations-top-10-google-organic-results-439029) on this AI-powered search platform, it seems a decent enough number for marketers to be interested. And, of course, Perplexity has to make sure that its [native ads](https://www.singlegrain.com/advertising/native-advertising-saas/) or sponsored questions are relevant. Perplexity’s rapid growth is evident, with its valuation reaching $9 billion following a recent $500 million funding round. This significant investment underscores the platform’s expanding influence in the AI-powered search industry. At the moment, its [market share](https://originality.ai/blog/perplexity-ai-statistics) is pretty slim: ![Perplexity Ads: graph showing market share among search engines](https://www.singlegrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image7.png)But search volume on this platform is growing fast: [up 20,512%](https://originality.ai/blog/perplexity-ai-statistics) to 471K over the past year: ![Perplexity Ads: search volume on Perplexity.ai](https://www.singlegrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image3.png)The target audience for Perplexity consists of programmers, students, writers/researchers, artists, and “professionals” (isn’t that what all these other groups, except students, are??): ![Perplexity.ai target audience](https://www.singlegrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image5.png)The largest portions of its user base are located in Indonesia, United States and India: ![Perplexity Ads: graph showing the tool's top userbase by country](https://www.singlegrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image4.png)And how do users feel about Perplexity? ![Perplexity Ads: graph showing survey responses from users](https://www.singlegrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image6.png)## **Last Word on Perplexity Ads** Perplexity.ai’s decision to integrate ads into its search results represents a strategic shift towards revenue diversification while prioritizing (fingers crossed!) user experience. Given the platform’s growing popularity and potential to influence online advertising, adapting strategies to leverage Perplexity.ai’s advertising opportunities could be a great opportunity for marketers seeking to engage with their target audiences. Finding your place before the platform gets saturated and overpriced makes sense, so marketers should consider at least monitoring the platform’s evolving advertising model to see if it makes sense for you. ### **If you’re ready to transform your ad campaigns with AI technology, Single Grain’s [AI experts](https://www.singlegrain.com/ai-transformation-services/) can help!👇** [Help Me Level Up with AI](javascript:;) ## Related Video ![Video thumbnail](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Dw7IDLVNXqI/maxresdefault.jpg) _For more insights and lessons about marketing, check out our [Marketing School podcast](https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingSchoolPod) on YouTube._ _Additional contributions provided by [Sam Pak.](https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelepak/)_