How to View Sources Cited in a Perplexity Answer

When you ask a question in Perplexity, the AI generates an answer based on real-time web searches. The answer includes citations that link directly to the source web pages. Without viewing these sources, you cannot verify the accuracy or recency of the information. This article explains how to open, navigate, and manage the sources cited in any Perplexity answer.

How Perplexity Cites Sources in Answers

Perplexity uses large language models combined with real-time web search to generate answers. When the model finds relevant information from a webpage, it inserts a small superscript number next to the corresponding sentence or paragraph. Each number corresponds to a source listed at the bottom of the answer or in a dedicated panel. The citation number is a hyperlink that opens the original webpage.

The sources are not manually curated by a human editor. They are pulled automatically from search results based on the model’s relevance scoring. This means you should always check the source yourself before relying on the information for critical decisions. Perplexity shows the title, domain, publication date, and a short excerpt for each source when you hover over the citation number.

Prerequisites for Viewing Sources

You need a working internet connection. Perplexity loads sources from live web pages. No browser extension or special software is required. The feature works on the web version at perplexity.ai and on the mobile apps for iOS and Android.

Steps to View Sources in a Perplexity Answer

The following steps apply to the web version of Perplexity. Mobile app steps are similar, with the interface adjusted for smaller screens.

1. Open a thread or start a new search
   Go to perplexity.ai and type your question in the search bar. Press Enter to generate the answer. The AI processes your query and displays the answer text with numbered citations in brackets or as superscript numbers.
2. Locate a citation number in the answer
   Scroll through the answer text. Each citation number appears immediately after a claim or sentence. The numbers are small and colored blue or gray depending on the theme.
3. Hover over the citation number to see a preview
   Move your mouse cursor over the number. A small popup appears showing the source title, domain, publication date, and a short excerpt of the text that Perplexity used. This preview helps you decide whether the source is relevant before clicking.
4. Click the citation number to open the full source page
   Click the number. The source webpage opens in a new browser tab. You can read the full article, check the author, and verify the context of the cited statement.
5. View the full list of sources in the sidebar
   On the web version, look for a panel labeled “Sources” on the right side of the screen. This panel lists all sources used in the current answer. Each entry shows the source title, domain, and a short excerpt. Click any entry to open the page.
6. Scroll through multiple sources if the answer uses many
   Some answers cite five or more sources. Scroll down the source panel to see all of them. You can open several sources in separate tabs for comparison.

Viewing Sources on the Mobile App

1. Tap the citation number
   On the Perplexity iOS or Android app, tap the numbered link in the answer. The source page opens within the app’s built-in browser or in your default browser, depending on your settings.
2. Swipe up to see the source panel
   On the mobile app, swipe up from the bottom of the answer card. A panel opens showing all sources for that answer. Tap a source to view it.

Common Issues When Viewing Perplexity Sources

The Citation Number Does Not Open Anything

If clicking a citation number does nothing, your browser may be blocking pop-ups or new tabs. Check your browser settings and allow pop-ups from perplexity.ai. Also ensure JavaScript is enabled in your browser. The source panel relies on JavaScript to load the list of sources.

The Source Page Shows a 404 Error or Is Inaccessible

Perplexity indexes web pages at the time of the search. If the page has been moved, deleted, or requires a login, you will see an error. Try copying the URL from the source panel and searching for the page title on a search engine. Sometimes a cached version of the page is available.

The Source Does Not Match the Claim in the Answer

Perplexity may occasionally cite a source that does not fully support the claim. This happens when the model extracts a sentence out of context. Open the source page and read the surrounding text to evaluate the accuracy. If the citation is incorrect, you can flag the answer by clicking the three-dot menu next to the answer and selecting “Report.”

Only One Source Is Listed for a Complex Answer

Perplexity aims to provide multiple sources for most answers. If only one source appears, the model may have found a single authoritative page. You can ask a follow-up question to request additional sources. For example, type “Can you provide more sources for this claim?”

Perplexity Free vs Pro: Source Viewing Features

Item	Free Plan	Pro Plan
Number of sources per answer	Up to 5	Up to 10
Source panel visibility	Always visible	Always visible
Hover preview	Yes	Yes
Open source in new tab	Yes	Yes

Both plans offer the same source viewing mechanics. The Pro plan includes access to more powerful AI models that may provide longer answers with more citations. The source panel works identically on both plans.

Conclusion

You can now view the sources cited in any Perplexity answer by clicking the citation number or opening the source panel. Use the hover preview to quickly assess relevance before opening the full page. Always verify the source content, especially for factual or financial information. For deeper verification, open multiple sources and compare their statements. The source panel is your gateway to fact-checking every answer Perplexity gives you.