How to effectively use Perplexity AI for market research and sales

Perplexity AI is rapidly gaining popularity among B2B companies as a smart assistant for both market research and sales. But how do you use this AI tool effectively, and why can it be a real gamechanger? Below we explain clearly, complete with practical examples and prompts you can use right away.

What is Perplexity AI and why should you use it?

Perplexity AI is an advanced tool that uses natural language processing to quickly provide detailed answers to complex questions. This makes it ideal for in-depth market analysis, competitive research, and improving sales processes.

Market research with Perplexity AI

Competitive analysis

Analyzing competitors is essential to refine your unique proposition. Perplexity AI quickly provides insights into competitors’ strategies and weaknesses.

Prompt:
“Provide a detailed overview of recent strategies, strengths, and weaknesses of [Competitor X] within the [specific sector], focusing on recent product launches and marketing campaigns.”

Trend analysis

Spotting trends early helps you stay ahead of the competition.

Prompt:
“What are the most notable trends in [specific industry] in 2025, and which companies are leading in these areas? Provide concrete examples.”

Consumer insights

Understanding customer behavior is the foundation of meeting their needs.

Prompt:
“What are the main needs and challenges of consumers in [target audience] who are interested in [product category]?”

Optimizing sales with Perplexity AI

Personalized Sales Pitches

Make your sales pitch relevant and persuasive by addressing specific pain points.

Prompt:
“What are currently the biggest challenges for companies in [specific industry], and how can [your product/service] help solve these?”

Strengthen customer relationships

Use data to better understand your customers and build long-term relationships.

Prompt:
“What are the best strategies to build lasting customer relationships in [specific industry]? Provide examples of successful companies.”

Efficiency in Follow-ups

Timing and content of follow-ups can make the difference between winning or losing a deal.

Prompt:
“What is the optimal timing and best content for follow-up messages after the first contact in [specific industry]?”

Practical examples to use right away

Use follow-up questions

Want even deeper insights? Ask Perplexity AI follow-up questions, such as:

• “Which demographic groups within this target audience are most active?”
• “How does the optimal follow-up strategy differ per customer type (B2B vs. B2C)?”

When to use Deep Research?

Deep Research is ideal when you want to run in-depth analyses or find specific data, such as market share or financial performance. Note: Perplexity Deep Research is free for 3 queries per day. With a paid subscription, there’s no limit.

Example Deep Research prompt:
“Analyze the buying behavior of millennials in urban areas who are interested in sustainable technology.”

Your next step

Perplexity AI offers a powerful and versatile way to elevate your market research and sales processes. The key is asking the right questions: the more specific and targeted your question, the more valuable the answer.

Always combine these powerful insights with your own knowledge and experience. That’s how you get the most out of your AI investment and stay one step ahead of the competition.

Preparing your organization for the future

At Marketing Guys, we understand that this transition can be challenging. That’s why we’ve developed a practical approach to guide you step by step.

First, we created a practical checklist to help you optimize your website for AI-driven search. No unnecessary theory—just concrete actions: from Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and structured data to technical SEO and AI-specific tips. Stay visible, relevant, and always a step ahead. The checklist is organized by priority.

In short, a practical checklist you can apply immediately to prepare your website for AI Search.

I can imagine you may have some questions. If so, feel free to schedule a personal call with me. In 30 minutes, we’ll discuss any challenges or opportunities you’re facing.

About the author

I’m Mark van Horik, and as a Strategic Marketing Consultant at Marketing Guys, I combine 25+ years of digital marketing experience with a passion for innovative AI applications. That combination is no coincidence—it reflects my belief that technology and human expertise go hand in hand.

Every day, I help B2B organizations in sectors such as Technology, Manufacturing, Finance, and Education use technology to grow. My goal? To make marketers’ work not only more effective but also more enjoyable.

As a lecturer at Beeckestijn Business School, I share my knowledge and experience with the next generation of marketers. Whether it’s AI Search or other innovations—it’s ultimately about the person behind the technology.