Firefox tests Perplexity AI as a new search option

Mozilla is trying something new with Firefox by adding Perplexity AI as a search engine choice in the browser’s address bar. This test, happening in Firefox version 139, lets users in the U.S., U.K., and Germany pick Perplexity for searches that give direct, easy-to-understand answers, similar to Google’s AI Overviews. Unlike a big announcement, Mozilla shared this quietly on its Connect community forum.

Perplexity AI focuses on clear, conversational responses, making it great for quick answers or research without digging through tons of links. Users can try it by visiting perplexity.ai in Firefox, typing a search in the address bar, and selecting “Search with Perplexity” from the dropdown. After a few searches, Firefox may ask to save Perplexity as a search option, adding a handy @perplexity shortcut for faster searches.

This experiment shows Mozilla’s interest in AI-powered search tools, possibly as a way to move beyond its long-time reliance on Google, which pays Mozilla over $400 million yearly to be the default search engine. While Perplexity isn’t the default yet, Mozilla is watching how users like it. The test could lead to more AI search options in Firefox, depending on feedback. For now, anyone can try Perplexity with the workaround, even outside the test regions. What do you think about using AI for searches in Firefox?