Introducing the Sonar Pro API

It's never been a better time to build with AI. But as AI tools become more pervasive, accuracy is paramount. While most generative AI features today have answers informed only by training data, this limits their capabilities. To optimize for factuality and authority, APIs require a real-time connection to the Internet, with answers informed by trusted sources. 

With Perplexity's Sonar and Sonar Pro API (the latter generally available to all developers starting today), you can build your own generative search capabilities powered with unparalleled real-time, web-wide research and the Perplexity features you've come to expect, like citations. We’re also expanding public access to advanced features like JSON mode and search domain filters for select usage tiers. 

Our Sonar API is lightweight, affordable, fast, and simple to use — and now includes citations and the ability to customize sources (our most requested feature updates!). It's ideal for companies who need to integrate lightweight question-and-answer features that are optimized for speed. 

For enterprises seeking more advanced capabilities, the Sonar Pro API can handle in-depth, multi-step queries with added extensibility, like double the number of citations per search as Sonar on average. Plus, with a larger context window, it can handle longer and more nuanced searches and follow-up questions. 

Sonar in action

Thousands of developers across industries like sales, finance, nonprofits, and advertising, are using Sonar to power native search experiences. Here are just a few examples of what companies can build: 

• Copy AI helps go-to-market teams research prospects and target companies. Thanks to their integration with Sonar, they've helped companies save 8 hours of research per rep per week, generating a 20% increase in throughput.

• Doximity provides doctors with access to a research tool that helps them practice medicine more effectively. Whether they are seeking information about a new guideline change from a medical journal or have a question about insurance reimbursements, doctors can get concise, research-backed answers to their questions. Given the high-stakes nature of medicine, in-line citations are critical for furthering accuracy and trust. 

• Earlier this year, Zoom introduced the AI Companion 2.0, which natively integrates different services directly into their video conferencing platform. With Sonar Pro, Zoom can offer live, real-time, and private searches for users that allow them to ask any question without having to exit the video call or open their browser. In the words of Will Siegelin, Senior Product Manager of AI Products & Responsible AI at Zoom," Perplexity opens Zoom to knowledge beyond its four walls." 

Purpose-Built for Factuality 

SimpleQA is the prevailing benchmark for factuality, designed to evaluate whether large language models can answer short, fact-seeking questions. Sonar Pro is the best-performing model on factuality because it combines the summarization power of LLMs with access to real-time information rather than relying on stored training data to answer questions. Sonar Pro leads this benchmark with an F-score of 0.858, while Sonar received an F-score of 0.773. 

To get started with the Sonar API, check out the documentation on our website.