Perplexity now handles 780m queries a month
Perplexity now handles 780m queries every month and is on course to hit 1bn per week by summer 2025.
The AI-powered search engine is growing 20% month by month, according to its CEO and co-founder, Aravind Srinivas, who also took shots at Google’s piecemeal approach to new tech. He stated that its big rival can’t go “full AI mode” as its traditional search system is fundamental to its ad business, which continues to be a major source of revenue.
Srinivas added that Perplexity is now focused on developing its web browser — Comet — something it calls a “cognitive operating system”. He noted: “Answers are essentially four or five searches in one. Actions are like an entire browsing session in one prompt.”
Google tests AI influencers
Google’s experiments with AI continued last week with the launch of “Portraits”, a feature that generates images of famous people to offer advice. Fortunately, the people involved have given their consent.
In a blog post, Google said: “Portraits, a new experiment from Google Labs, lets you interact conversationally with AI representations of trusted experts, built in partnership with the experts themselves.”
Google Labs users can access Portraits now with bestselling author Kim Scott. It’s US-only for now.
TikTok reveals UK trends for summer 2025
Britcore, Hamptons Aesthetic, Pop Girl Summer, and Women in Sport are among the big trends in the UK this summer according to a new guide from TikTok. The social app revealed that 3.3 million videos have already been published using the #UKTikTok hashtag, with users covering many unique and quirky topics about life in modern Britain.
The Hamptons, a US import, is also gaining momentum in the UK with videos about home, garden style, food, and, as TikTok calls it, “effortless summer vibes.”
Instagram hails trial Reels
Instagram says trial Reels have been a big help for creators, who have been using the feature to test content with select followers before sending it live to a wider audience. The social media app revealed that 40% of creators started posting more content after using trials, and 80% saw an uptick in reach to non-followers.
One key aspect has been access to analytics. Creators have been able to get a full view of engagement data such as views, likes, and shares. Instagram said: “The more trial Reels you create, the more insights you’ll have to compare against other trial Reels and the more understanding you’ll have on what might perform best.”
Elon Musk now using X to fight Trump
Elon Musk is now weaponising X against his former ally, Donald Trump, after the feud exploded on social media last week.
The Washington Post says Musk is “wielding” the social media app against the US President with a series of rants about the “ingratitude” of the Republican Party and Trump's links to the Epstein files. Trump hit back on Truth Social, where he claimed Musk was “wearing thin”.
