When you create a Perplexity Space, you can customize it to focus on a specific topic or workflow. By default, each Space uses the same AI model as your main account settings. You may want a Space for academic research to use the Pro model while another Space for casual browsing uses the free model. This article shows you how to set a default model for each Perplexity Space so you do not have to switch models manually every time you open a Space.
Key Takeaways: Set a Default Model for a Perplexity Space
- Perplexity Space Settings > Model: Choose from available models including GPT-4, Claude, and Perplexity Pro models.
- Perplexity Space creation wizard: Select the model when you first create a Space to set it as the default.
- Perplexity Space model override: Changing the model in an existing Space updates the default for all future queries in that Space.
What a Default Model Does in a Perplexity Space
A Perplexity Space is a dedicated workspace where you organize queries, sources, and conversations around a specific subject. Each Space can have its own instructions, knowledge sources, and AI model. The default model determines which AI engine answers your questions when you type a query in that Space.
Perplexity offers several models. The exact list depends on your subscription. Free accounts can use Perplexity’s base model and GPT-4o Mini. Pro subscribers get access to GPT-4 Turbo, Claude 3.5 Sonnet, Claude 3 Opus, and Perplexity’s own Pro models. You can set any of these as the default for a Space.
Setting a default model does not lock you into that model. You can change the model for individual queries using the model selector in the query bar. The default model only applies when you do not manually choose a different model.
Steps to Set a Default Model for a New Perplexity Space
- Open Perplexity in your browser
Go to perplexity.ai and sign in to your account. If you do not have a Space yet, click the Spaces icon in the left sidebar. - Click the Create Space button
This button is at the top of the Spaces panel. A new dialog opens with fields for Space name, description, and settings. - Enter a name and description for your Space
Type a name that reflects the topic, such as “Academic Research” or “Daily News.” The description helps Perplexity tailor responses to your topic. - Click the Model dropdown menu
This dropdown is below the description field. It shows the current model selected for the Space. - Select your desired default model
Choose from the list of available models. For example, select GPT-4 Turbo if you need deep reasoning or Claude 3.5 Sonnet for creative writing. The model you pick becomes the default for this Space. - Add knowledge sources if needed
You can upload files, add URLs, or connect to a Google Drive folder. These sources are searched by the default model when answering queries. - Click the Create button
Perplexity creates the Space with your chosen default model. The Space now appears in your Spaces list.
Steps to Change the Default Model for an Existing Perplexity Space
- Open the Space you want to edit
Click the Space name in the left sidebar. The Space opens in the main content area. - Click the Settings icon
This gear icon is near the top-right corner of the Space. A settings panel slides open. - Find the Model section
Scroll down in the settings panel until you see the Model dropdown. It shows the current default model. - Select a new model from the dropdown
Click the dropdown and choose a different model. The change applies immediately. - Close the settings panel
Click outside the panel or click the X button. The Space now uses the new default model for all future queries.
Things to Avoid When Setting a Default Model
Model Availability Depends on Your Subscription
If you select a model that your account cannot access, the Space will fall back to the default model for your account. For example, a free user who sets GPT-4 Turbo as the default model will see the Space use the free model instead. Always check your subscription before setting a model.
Changing the Default Model Does Not Affect Past Queries
When you change the default model for an existing Space, previous conversations and queries remain in the old model. Only new queries use the new default model. If you want a clean slate, create a new Space instead.
Model Selection Impacts Response Quality and Speed
Some models are faster but less accurate. Others are slower but more thorough. For Spaces that need real-time answers, choose a lightweight model like GPT-4o Mini. For deep analysis, use GPT-4 Turbo or Claude 3 Opus.
You Cannot Set a Default Model for Individual Queries
The default model applies to the entire Space. If you need a different model for a single query, use the model selector in the query bar before pressing Enter. That query uses the selected model, but the Space default remains unchanged.
Perplexity Free vs Pro: Model Access in Spaces
| Item | Free Account | Pro Account |
|---|---|---|
| Models available | Perplexity base model, GPT-4o Mini | GPT-4 Turbo, Claude 3.5 Sonnet, Claude 3 Opus, Perplexity Pro models |
| Number of Spaces | Up to 3 Spaces | Unlimited Spaces |
| Model switching per query | Yes, within available models | Yes, within all Pro models |
| Knowledge source limits | 5 files per Space | 50 files per Space |
The table above shows the key differences in model access between Free and Pro accounts. Pro subscribers can set any of the advanced models as the default for a Space. Free users are limited to the base model and GPT-4o Mini.
If you need a model that is not listed in the dropdown, you may need to upgrade your subscription. Perplexity occasionally adds new models, so check the model list periodically.
You can now set a default model for each Perplexity Space to match the task at hand. For academic Spaces, choose a reasoning model like GPT-4 Turbo. For creative Spaces, use Claude 3.5 Sonnet. To switch models for a single query, use the model selector in the query bar instead of changing the Space default.