When you search on Perplexity, the default focus mode applies to every new thread. This means you must manually switch between Web, Academic, Writing, Math, or Video modes each time you start a conversation. Many users want a specific focus mode to stick with a particular thread without affecting others. This article explains how to set and save a focus preference per thread in Perplexity.
Key Takeaways: Save Focus Preference Per Thread in Perplexity
- Thread-level focus button: Click the focus icon at the top of a thread to change its mode without affecting other threads.
- Focus persists within the thread: Once you set a focus mode for a thread, all subsequent queries in that thread use the same mode until you change it.
- No global override: Focus preference is saved only for that specific thread. Other threads retain their own focus settings or the default.
What Is Focus Mode in Perplexity
Focus mode controls which sources Perplexity searches when answering your query. The available options are:
- All — Searches the entire web including social media and forums.
- Academic — Searches peer-reviewed papers and scholarly articles.
- Writing — Searches writing guides, style references, and language resources.
- Math — Searches mathematical content and formulas.
- Video — Searches video transcripts and captions.
- Reddit — Searches Reddit posts and comments.
- Wolfram|Alpha — Searches Wolfram|Alpha computational knowledge.
- News — Searches recent news articles.
By default, Perplexity uses the All focus mode for every new thread. If you want a different focus mode for a specific thread, you must switch it manually. However, once you switch, that mode stays active for the entire thread. You do not need to reselect it for each query.
Steps to Set Focus Preference per Thread
Follow these steps to set a focus mode for a specific thread in Perplexity. The process works the same on the web app and mobile app.
- Open or start a thread
Go to Perplexity at perplexity.ai or open the mobile app. Click the New Thread button or select an existing thread from the sidebar. - Locate the focus button
Look at the top of the thread area. You will see a button labeled All or the current focus mode name. This button is directly above the text input box. It may display an icon representing the current mode. - Click the focus button
Click the button. A dropdown menu opens listing all available focus modes: All, Academic, Writing, Math, Video, Reddit, Wolfram|Alpha, and News. - Select your desired focus mode
Click the mode you want for this thread. For example, click Academic if you are researching scholarly papers. The button now shows the selected mode name. - Type your query
Enter your question or prompt in the text input box. Press Enter or click the send icon. Perplexity will search only within the selected focus mode for this thread. - Continue using the same focus
All subsequent queries in this thread will use the same focus mode. You do not need to reselect it. If you want to change the focus later, click the focus button again and pick a different mode.
What Happens When You Start a New Thread
When you create a new thread, it resets to the default focus mode (All). The focus preference you set in the previous thread is saved only for that thread. This means you can have one thread using Academic mode and another using Video mode simultaneously. Perplexity does not apply a global focus setting across all threads.
Common Mistakes and Limitations
Focus Mode Resets After Refreshing the Page
If you refresh the browser tab or close and reopen the app, the focus mode for each thread remains as you set it. Perplexity saves the focus preference server-side for each thread. However, if you are not logged in, your focus preferences may not persist. Always log in to your Perplexity account to save thread settings across sessions.
Focus Mode Does Not Apply to Follow-Up Searches in Other Threads
Some users expect that changing focus in one thread will change it for all threads. This is not the case. Focus mode is thread-specific. If you want the same focus in another thread, you must set it manually in that thread.
Focus Mode Is Not Available on the Free Plan
Perplexity Pro subscribers have access to all focus modes. Free plan users see only All, Academic, Writing, and Math. Video, Reddit, Wolfram|Alpha, and News focus modes require a Pro subscription. If you do not see a focus mode, check your plan under Settings > Subscription.
Focus Mode Does Not Limit Source Types in Responses
When you select Academic focus, Perplexity searches academic sources. However, the response may still include general web sources if the model cannot find enough academic content. Focus mode is a filter, not a strict restriction. For stricter filtering, use the Pro Search option with specific source instructions.
Perplexity Free vs Pro: Focus Mode Availability
| Feature | Free Plan | Pro Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Available focus modes | All, Academic, Writing, Math | All modes including Video, Reddit, Wolfram|Alpha, News |
| Thread-specific focus | Yes | Yes |
| Focus persistence across sessions | Yes when logged in | Yes when logged in |
Saving focus preference per thread is a straightforward process in Perplexity. Use the focus button at the top of each thread to select the mode you need. The setting stays for that thread only. If you work on multiple topics simultaneously, set different focus modes for each thread. This keeps your research organized and reduces manual switching. For Pro subscribers, additional focus modes like Video and News can improve search precision in specialized tasks.