Perplexity AI slashes usage limits for Pro users after promo code fraud and unauthorized resale

Perplexity Explains Why It's Limiting Usage for Some Pro Accounts

With over a decade of experience reporting on consumer technology, James covers mobile phones, apps, operating systems, wearables, AI, and more. Free Perplexity Pro subscriptions have been easy to find over the last few years, with many partners offering promo codes for up to a year of use. If you're using Perplexity's promotional service, you may find your access is now less useful than it was before. Many Perplexity Pro users have complained on social media since Friday about new usage limits appearing on their accounts without any prior notification. The exact limitations aren't clear; some say they're limited to 100 queries per week, while others report different usage allowances. Perplexity itself didn't share news of any changes until prompted by Android Authority. A spokesperson for Perplexity told the website, "Some users are seeing different usage limits because their accounts are tied to promotional-code offers, and we've had to adjust enforcement due to fraud and unauthorized resale of those codes, including cases where people may have unknowingly purchased invalid codes from third parties." Perplexity's clarification doesn't specify whether these limitations apply to all users with promotional code accounts, or only to those suspected of accessing its tools through a fraudulent subscription. Given the number of social media reports, this appears to be a widespread problem. If you think your account has been limited, you should contact Perplexity support to discuss your situation, as the brand says it will "continue helping anyone who believes they were impacted in error." To do so, try Perplexity's own help center website, or email [email protected]. The spokesperson also said it planned to "make the applicable limits clearer for affected users." It's not yet clear how long it will take to clarify these new usage limits, especially since it didn't share any specifics on the new rules in its most recent statement. Many legitimate Perplexity Pro subscriptions have been offered through deals with other tech companies, banks, and more, including Logitech, Motorola, PayPal, Samsung, T-Mobile, Venmo, and Xfinity.

Perplexity Said to Respond After Users Claim Usage Limit Cut Short

Perplexity reportedly said only promotional-code accounts were impacted Several Perplexity users woke up last week to find their accounts' usage significantly reduced. Sharing their frustrations online, these users highlighted that the rate limits were cut short to the point that their daily usage was getting exhausted in just a few queries. The list of impacted users includes those on the free tier and those paying for a subscription. After spending multiple days in confusion, the artificial intelligence (AI) company has reportedly issued a statement, shedding light on the reason behind the throttling exercise. Perplexity Users Claim Usage Reduction In several Reddit posts on r/perplexity_ai, individuals posted about their rate limit reduction. One user complained, "I mainly use GPT and Gemini inside Perplexity, but I honestly use very few queries per week. There's basically no way I actually exceeded even the 100-query limit." Another user claimed, "Perplexity is getting crazier. It has reached its limits after a few chats. I wonder how many limits they apply now." These are not isolated incidents, and the subreddit is filled with similar posts. It appears to be impacting users across the globe on all the different tiers, including the free tier and paid subscriptions. Based on the conversations, affected users are witnessing anywhere between a 20 to 80 percent reduction in the rate limit, causing confusion and frustration among them. A Perplexity spokesperson told Android Authority, "Some users are seeing different usage limits because their accounts are tied to promotional-code offers, and we've had to adjust enforcement due to fraud and unauthorised resale of those codes, including cases where people may have unknowingly purchased invalid codes from third parties. We're working to make the applicable limits clearer for affected users and will continue helping anyone who believes they were impacted in error, while continuing to enforce our terms against abuse." As per the statement, it appears that Perplexity is deliberately reducing usage limits for certain accounts that received Pro membership via promotional codes due to suspicions of unauthorised resale. Likely, some of the affected accounts were mistakenly throttled. At least one of the users posted later to claim that their usage limits returned to normal. Another user, who posted about getting a significantly reduced rate, was accidentally routing the searches via Computer and getting hit with a "low credits" message. Notably, Perplexity is yet to share more details on the number of accounts impacted and how mistakenly impacted users can seek redressal.

Perplexity AI Blames Promo Code Abuse for Tighter Usage Restrictions

Perplexity AI users have complained that the platform's weekly 'advanced AI' limits are running out faster than before. Several subscribers said they hit usage caps after only a few prompts, despite using the service normally. Complaints appeared across Reddit and X over the past week. Some users said they previously used the Pro plan throughout the week without issues but are now seeing restrictions much earlier. Others claimed document uploads and research queries consumed limits faster than expected. Many users said the problem is not the cap itself, but the absence of clear usage tracking. Subscribers argued that Perplexity is not properly explaining which actions consume advanced AI credits or how the system calculates usage.

Perplexity AI users say advanced AI limits are running out faster, company blames promo code abuse

The company says standard AI models remain unaffected while impacted users are being asked to contact support. Perplexity AI users have been facing disruptions with the weekly usage limit exceeded popups for advanced AI models much sooner than expected, even with light usage. Many subscribers claimed that tasks involving premium models and file uploads are being restricted after only a handful of queries. This has triggered widespread social media topics asking the brand if it had changed the platform limits. The company has now acknowledged that some accounts are seeing different restrictions, particularly those linked to promotional code subscriptions. In a statement to Android Authority, Perplexity said it has tightened the enforcement measures due to misuse involving fraud and resold promotional codes. As per the company, some users may have unknowingly purchased invalid access codes via unofficial third-party channels. The brand has reportedly stated that it is working to make usage limits clearer for affected users, while also cracking down on abuse and unauthorised reselling. The company also stated that users who believe their accounts were incorrectly impacted can contact customer support for assistance. Also read: Apple told to cooperate in India App Store antitrust probe, court blocks final ruling for now: What now? Users on the online forums stated that the advanced AI models, like reasoning-focused options, are most affected. Many users claimed that they reached their weekly query limits after only a few requests per day. Some also stated that the platform has stricter upload restrictions than before. Many users also claimed that token allowances and total advanced model query caps had been reduced. The report also added that the restrictions do not apply to the platform's standard AI models. The users who encounter the new caps are promoted to upgrade to the company's higher-tier Max subscription plan for additional access. Perplexity has not yet acknowledged its pricing or usage documentation to show any broader limit changes. The company has also not confirmed whether the reported restrictions differ by region, though some users speculated that accounts in certain countries may face stricter controls than those in the United States.