# Perplexity Search Scraper (`apify/perplexity-search-scraper`) Actor Scrape Perplexity AI answers at scale without an API. Extract AI-generated responses, cited sources, URLs, and related questions for any query. Track brand visibility in AI search, monitor citations, and run GEO research. Export to JSON, CSV, or Excel. - **URL**: https://apify.com/apify/perplexity-search-scraper.md - **Developed by:** [Apify](https://apify.com/apify) (Apify) - **Categories:** SEO tools, AI, Automation - **Stats:** 3 total users, 0 monthly users, 91.7% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $9.00 / 1,000 perplexity ai searches This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## What does Perplexity Search Scraper do? **Perplexity Search Scraper** extracts **Perplexity AI search results** at scale. Enter your search queries and get back clean, structured data - including Perplexity's **AI-generated answer text**, cited sources with URLs and snippets, citation links, and optional related questions and images - ready for analysis, monitoring, or integration into your workflows. Perplexity is an AI answer engine that generates detailed, conversational answers grounded in live web sources. This Actor wraps a battle-tested [Google Search Scraper](https://apify.com/apify/google-search-scraper) so you don't need to worry about API keys, proxies, or parsing - just provide your queries and collect the output. ### What can Perplexity Search Scraper do? - **Extract Perplexity answers** - Get the full AI-generated text that Perplexity produces for each query - **Collect cited sources** - Capture every source title, URL, snippet, and publish date that Perplexity references - **Get citation URLs** - Retrieve the ordered list of citation links behind the answer - **Related questions** - Optionally return follow-up questions Perplexity suggests for your query - **Images** - Optionally return relevant images alongside the answer - **Filter by recency** - Restrict results to the past day, week, month, or year - **Apify platform benefits** - Access results via REST API, schedule recurring runs with cron expressions, integrate with Zapier/Make/Google Sheets - **Batch processing** - Submit hundreds of queries in a single run and collect all results from one dataset ### What data can you extract? | Field | Type | Description | | ------------------ | ------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | `query` | String | The search query you submitted | | `text` | String | The full Perplexity answer generated for the query | | `sources` | Array | Cited sources, each with `title`, `url`, `snippet`, `date`, `lastUpdated`, and `source` | | `citationUrls` | Array | URLs of the citations referenced in the answer | | `relatedQuestions` | Array | Follow-up questions related to the query (empty unless requested) | | `images` | Array | Images returned alongside the answer, each with `imageUrl`, `originUrl`, and `title` (empty unless requested) | ### How to scrape Perplexity AI results 1. **Go to the Actor page** - Navigate to [Perplexity Search Scraper](#) on Apify Store and click **Try for free**. 2. **Enter your search queries** - In the Input tab, type or paste your queries into the **Queries** field, one per line. For example: `best project management tools`, `how does photosynthesis work`. 3. **Set Perplexity options (optional)** - Filter by recency, or enable images and related questions in the **Perplexity options** section. 4. **Start the run** - Click **Start** and wait for the Actor to process your queries. The run time depends on how many queries you submitted - most runs finish within a few minutes. 5. **Export your data** - Once the run completes, go to the **Dataset** tab to preview results. Export as JSON, CSV, Excel, or connect directly to Google Sheets, Zapier, or Make. 6. **Automate with the API** - Use the Apify API or schedule the Actor to run daily or weekly for ongoing Perplexity monitoring. Every run produces a new dataset you can fetch programmatically. ### Input parameters | Parameter | Description | | ----------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Queries** | Your search queries, one per line. Supports bulk input. | | **Search recency** | Restrict results to the past `day`, `week`, `month`, or `year`. | | **Include images** | Return relevant images as part of the AI response. | | **Include related questions** | Return a list of follow-up questions related to your query. | For the full list of options, see the **Input** tab on the Actor page. ### Output example ```json { "query": "what is python", "text": "**Python** is a high-level, interpreted, general-purpose programming language known for its simplicity, readability, and versatility...", "sources": [ { "title": "Python Programming Language: Definition, Features & Uses - Lenovo", "url": "https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/glossary/python/", "snippet": "Python is a versatile, high-level programming language known for its simplicity and readability...", "date": "2025-08-12", "lastUpdated": "2025-12-02", "source": "web" } ], "citationUrls": ["https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/glossary/python/", "https://www.python.org/doc/essays/blurb/"], "relatedQuestions": [], "images": [] } ```` ### Failed queries Every query Perplexity can't return a result for is written to a separate **`errors`** dataset instead of the main one - so your results stay clean and you can still see exactly which queries failed and why. Open it from the **Failed queries** link on the run's output, or under **Storage → Datasets**. ```json { "query": "best web scraping tools 2025", "error": "No result returned for the query." } ``` ### Other AI search scrapers on Apify Perplexity is just one piece of the AI search landscape. Monitor your brand across all major AI-powered search engines: - **[Gemini Search Scraper](https://apify.com/apify/gemini-search-scraper)** - Extract Google Gemini AI answers and their cited sources. Track how Gemini describes your brand and which sources it cites. - **[Google AI Mode Scraper](https://apify.com/apify/google-ai-mode-scraper)** - Extract Google AI Mode results, the conversational AI answers Google generates for a search query. - **Google AI Overview Scraper** - Extract Google AI Overview results, the AI summaries that appear directly on the search results page. - **[Google Search Results Scraper](https://apify.com/apify/google-search-scraper)** - Extract SERPs organic and paid results, review ratings and People Also Ask. Ideal for AI SEO workflows. Use these Actors together for comprehensive **AI search monitoring** - understand how every major AI engine presents information about your brand, products, or topics. ### Frequently asked questions #### Is it legal to scrape Perplexity results? Web scraping of publicly available data is generally legal in most jurisdictions. Perplexity answers are publicly accessible to anyone performing a search. This Actor collects the same information a regular user would see. Always review and comply with applicable terms of service and local regulations for your specific use case. #### Is there a Perplexity API? Perplexity offers a developer API, but it requires you to manage your own API key, billing, and rate limits. Perplexity Search Scraper fills this gap: it provides a **REST API** endpoint that returns structured Perplexity search results - including the answer text, sources, and citation URLs - for any query, with no Perplexity key required. You get an API key with your Apify account and can call it from any programming language or automation tool. #### What are the best use cases for Perplexity scraping? The most popular use cases include **SEO and brand monitoring** (track how Perplexity describes your brand), **competitive analysis** (compare how Perplexity answers queries about you vs. competitors), **content research** (discover what sources Perplexity cites for your target topics), and **AI search trend tracking** (monitor how AI-generated answers evolve over time). #### Can I integrate Perplexity Search Scraper with other tools? Yes. Apify offers native integrations with **Zapier**, **Make**, **Google Sheets**, **Slack**, **webhooks**, and more. You can also use the **Apify API** or **Apify Python/JavaScript clients** to pull data into your own applications, dashboards, or data pipelines. Schedule runs on any cadence - hourly, daily, weekly - for fully automated monitoring. # Actor input Schema ## `queries` (type: `string`): The prompts/queries to send to Perplexity AI. Enter one query per line. ## `perplexitySearch` (type: `object`): Options that control how Perplexity answers your queries. ## Actor input object example ```json { "queries": "best SEO tools\napify web scraping", "perplexitySearch": { "returnImages": false, "returnRelatedQuestions": false } } ``` # Actor output Schema ## `dataset` (type: `string`): Dataset containing all scraped data ## `errors` (type: `string`): Queries that returned no Perplexity result, with the failure reason # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = { "queries": "What are the top 5 CRM tools", "perplexitySearch": { "returnImages": false, "returnRelatedQuestions": false } }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("apify/perplexity-search-scraper").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "queries": "What are the top 5 CRM tools", "perplexitySearch": { "returnImages": False, "returnRelatedQuestions": False, }, } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("apify/perplexity-search-scraper").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{ "queries": "What are the top 5 CRM tools", "perplexitySearch": { "returnImages": false, "returnRelatedQuestions": false } }' | apify call apify/perplexity-search-scraper --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=apify/perplexity-search-scraper", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "Perplexity Search Scraper", "description": "Scrape Perplexity AI answers at scale without an API. Extract AI-generated responses, cited sources, URLs, and related questions for any query. Track brand visibility in AI search, monitor citations, and run GEO research. Export to JSON, CSV, or Excel.", "version": "0.0", "x-build-id": "ReOM0sIap4Fe8JpiL" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/apify~perplexity-search-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-apify-perplexity-search-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/apify~perplexity-search-scraper/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-apify-perplexity-search-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/apify~perplexity-search-scraper/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-apify-perplexity-search-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "required": [ "queries" ], "properties": { "queries": { "title": "Search query/queries", "pattern": "[^\\s]+", "type": "string", "description": "The prompts/queries to send to Perplexity AI. Enter one query per line." }, "perplexitySearch": { "title": "Perplexity options", "type": "object", "description": "Options that control how Perplexity answers your queries.", "properties": { "searchRecency": { "title": "Search recency", "type": "string", "enum": [ "day", "week", "month", "year" ], "description": "Filter search results based on their recency." }, "returnImages": { "title": "Include images in Perplexity AI answers", "description": "If enabled, Perplexity will search for and return relevant images as part of the AI response.", "type": "boolean" }, "returnRelatedQuestions": { "title": "Include related questions in Perplexity AI answers", "description": "If enabled, Perplexity will generate and return a list of follow-up questions related to your search query.", "type": "boolean" } }, "default": { "returnImages": false, "returnRelatedQuestions": false } } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```