When you use a Perplexity Space, the default search spans the entire web. This can bring back results from low-authority blogs, outdated forums, or irrelevant domains. You may need answers from only your internal documentation, a specific set of trusted sites, or a particular knowledge base. This article explains how to restrict web search in a Perplexity Space using custom sources and how to configure them correctly.
Key Takeaways: Restricting Web Search in Perplexity Spaces
- Space Settings > Custom Sources: Add specific domains or URLs to limit search results to those sources only.
- Space Settings > Search Depth toggle: Switch from “Web” to “Custom” to disable general web search entirely.
- Manual URL entry or drag-and-drop: Paste links or drop files for Perplexity to index and reference exclusively.
What Are Custom Sources in a Perplexity Space?
A Perplexity Space is a dedicated workspace where you can organize searches, upload files, and set custom instructions. By default, each Space searches the open web. Custom sources override this behavior. You specify exactly which websites, documents, or databases Perplexity should consult. The Space ignores all other web content.
This feature is useful for teams that need answers from internal wikis, support portals, or a curated set of industry publications. Before you start, you need a Perplexity Pro subscription. Custom sources are not available on the free plan. You also need at least one Space already created. You can create a Space from the left sidebar in the Perplexity web app or desktop client.
How Custom Sources Change Search Behavior
When you add a custom source, Perplexity indexes the content from that URL or file. Subsequent queries in that Space will only return information found within those sources. If you add multiple sources, Perplexity searches across all of them. It does not fall back to the general web unless you toggle the search depth back to “Web.” This gives you strict control over the information your Space uses.
Steps to Add Custom Sources and Restrict Web Search
Follow these steps to configure custom sources for a Perplexity Space. The process is identical on Windows 11, Windows 10, and the web app.
- Open the Space you want to configure
Click the Space name in the left sidebar of the Perplexity app. If you do not have a Space yet, click the plus icon next to “Spaces” and name it. - Go to Space Settings
Click the gear icon or the three-dot menu next to the Space name. Select Settings from the dropdown menu. - Locate the Custom Sources section
In the Settings panel, scroll down to Custom Sources. You will see a text field labeled “Add a URL” and a button to upload files. - Add a domain or specific URL
Type the full URL of the website you want to include. For example,https://docs.example.com. Press Enter or click the plus button. The URL appears in a list below the input field. - Upload documents if needed
Click the upload button and select PDF, text, or Markdown files from your computer. You can also drag and drop files directly into the Custom Sources area. Each file becomes a searchable source. - Switch search depth to Custom
Still in Settings, find the Search Depth toggle. Change it from Web to Custom. This tells Perplexity to ignore the general web and only use the sources you added. - Save and test
Click Save at the bottom of the Settings panel. Return to the Space chat and ask a question. The answer should reference only content from your custom sources. If it does not, double-check that the toggle is set to Custom.
Adding Multiple Sources
You can add up to 20 custom sources per Space. Each source can be a domain (docs.example.com) or a specific page (docs.example.com/setup). To remove a source, hover over its entry in the list and click the trash icon. Reordering sources is not supported; Perplexity treats all sources equally during search.
Common Mistakes and Limitations When Restricting Search
Perplexity Still Returns Results From Outside My Custom Sources
This usually happens when the Search Depth toggle is still set to Web. Go back to Space Settings and confirm the toggle says Custom. If it is correct, verify that the URL you added is valid and accessible. Perplexity cannot index pages behind a login or a paywall. For internal sites, consider exporting the content as a PDF and uploading it as a file.
My Uploaded File Does Not Appear in Search Results
Files must be in a supported format: PDF, plain text, or Markdown. Images, spreadsheets, and Word documents are not indexed. After uploading, wait a few seconds for Perplexity to process the file. If the file still does not appear, remove it and upload it again. Large files over 50 MB may fail silently; split them into smaller parts.
I Cannot Add a Custom Source to a Free Plan Space
Custom sources require a Perplexity Pro subscription. On the free plan, the Custom Sources section is grayed out. You can still create Spaces but you cannot restrict search to specific domains or files. Upgrade to Pro from your account settings to unlock this feature.
Custom Sources Do Not Work With Real-Time Web Queries
When you set Search Depth to Custom, Perplexity does not fetch live data from the web. The answers are based only on the indexed content of your sources. If you need up-to-date information, keep Search Depth set to Web and manually instruct Perplexity to prioritize certain domains in the Space instructions.
| Item | Web Search (Default) | Custom Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Search scope | Entire public web | Only specified URLs and files |
| Real-time data | Yes | No (uses indexed content) |
| Subscription required | No | Yes (Pro) |
| Maximum sources | Unlimited (web) | 20 per Space |
| File upload support | No | PDF, TXT, Markdown |
Now you can configure custom sources in Perplexity Spaces to restrict search results to the content you trust. Start by adding one domain and testing with a simple query. Next, try uploading a PDF manual and see how the answers shift. For advanced control, combine custom sources with Space instructions to define answer format and tone.