Praveen S S

Last Update : May 02, 2025

How to Fact-Check Any WhatsApp Message Instantly with Perplexity AI

Misinformation spreads quickly on WhatsApp, but verifying forwarded claims can be quick and easy. Perplexity AI now offers a WhatsApp chatbot that instantly fact-checks any message you send it. Just forward a suspicious WhatsApp message to Perplexity’s number (+1 833-436-3285), and within seconds, the AI will reply with a clear answer and cited sources. This means you can stay in your chat, avoid frantic web searches, and trust the bot to fetch reliable information for you. As one tech report notes, “You just forward any questionable WhatsApp message to Perplexity’s number… and the AI will explain in seconds whether the claim holds up or belongs in the digital trash.” In other words, Perplexity acts as a real-time credibility checker for your group chats.

How to Set Up Perplexity AI on WhatsApp in 30 Seconds

Getting started is a breeze: simply save +1 (833) 436-3285 as a new contact, open WhatsApp, and start a chat with “Perplexity AI.” No downloads, logins, or accounts are needed—just like chatting with a friend. Once the contact is saved, you can forward any WhatsApp message to it. For example, if a coworker sends a strange health tip or a viral news clip, just hit “Forward” and send it to Perplexity. The AI will read your message (or even an attached screenshot or image), perform a live web search, and respond with a concise verdict and links to trustworthy sources. It even works with images and screenshots—forwarding a meme with a bold claim or a photo containing text will prompt Perplexity to analyze the content and verify it.

• Step 1: Open your contacts app and add a new entry. Enter Perplexity AI (or any name) with the phone number +1 833-436-3285 (US toll-free).
• Step 2: Launch WhatsApp and find your new “Perplexity AI” contact in the chat list. Start a conversation by typing “Hi” or any greeting.
• Step 3: When you see a dubious or surprising message in any chat, tap and hold on it, choose Forward, then select the Perplexity contact to send it.

In practice, your WhatsApp might look like this after setup and forwarding a message:

Image source : (Aravind Srinivas Linkedin Post Screenshot)

The Perplexity bot will reply almost instantly. Because Perplexity is essentially an AI-powered search engine, its answer always comes with source links. TechRadar notes that the bot works in over 20 languages and provides links to the sources for the facts, providing you with the receipts. This means you can quickly show anyone in your group the evidence behind the correction.

Fact-Check Any Forwarded Message Instantly

Now that you’ve set it up, using Perplexity is simple and conversational. Whenever you receive a rumor, news item, or any questionable claim on WhatsApp, just forward that message to the Perplexity AI chat. For example, imagine a family group where someone posts, “Breaking: The government just approved free airline tickets for all citizens!” Instead of switching apps or arguing, you can silently forward that message to Perplexity. In seconds you’ll get a reply like: “No evidence found. Government did not announce free tickets – here are news articles from reputable sources to confirm this is false” – all with clickable citations.

This works for any text or media. You can forward plain text, links, voice notes, or even images. If you send an image (say, a photo of a tweet or a meme), Perplexity can read the text and check it. TechRadar explains: “You can forward screenshots, messages, images with a quote… and any other bit of suspicious information,” and the bot will sort out the truth. Because it’s integrated into WhatsApp, you never have to leave the app – just forward and read the reply. And since the bot cites its sources, you get a clear answer backed by evidence.

Perplexity is also perfect for fact-checking on flights, where WiFi often prioritizes messaging apps. WhatsApp’s design for low-bandwidth environments, honed in regions with spotty connectivity, ensures Perplexity works smoothly even with weak signals. Just forward a message to the bot while airborne, and get instant, source-backed answers without needing a strong connection.

The Perplexity AI bot is free and uses your existing WhatsApp encryption. When you forward a message, it remains end-to-end encrypted between you and WhatsApp. Only Perplexity’s servers see the content (like any other AI service). According to business news coverage, you don’t need an account or login – it’s “all free” and requires no signup. (Just remember it’s a US number with a +1 code, but the WhatsApp service is global, so users in the US, UK, Canada and beyond can use it by simply saving the contact.)

Perplexity on WhatsApp now responds more conversationally and intelligently skips unnecessary searches, making replies feel faster and more natural.

Powerful Perplexity Features Beyond Fact-Checks

Perplexity isn’t just for fact-checking forwards – it’s a versatile assistant in your chat. Here are some ways to make the most of it:

• Ask Questions and Research: You can use it like a mini search engine. Just type any question (e.g. “What’s the latest on [topic]?”), and the bot will fetch a clear summary with source links. It excels at research-style queries because it combines AI reasoning with live web data.

• Summarize Articles: If you forward a link to a news story or blog, try adding “Summarize this” or just send the link. Perplexity will return a concise bullet-point overview of the key points, saving you a long read. This works great for breaking news or long reports – no copying and pasting needed.

• Generate Custom Images and Memes: The WhatsApp bot can create images on demand. For example, send a message like “Generate an image of a cute corgi wearing a pirate hat” or “Create a meme about Monday mornings”, and Perplexity will reply with a unique image. (Business news confirms that custom image generation is built in, and future updates will make meme/video generation even easier.) This is fun for brainstorming or visual projects right in chat.

• Voice Input (Coming Soon): The developers have hinted that voice commands will arrive on WhatsApp. Soon you may be able to send a voice note (or type a spoken request) to Perplexity, and it will answer by voice or text. This hands-free mode will be perfect when driving or on the go.

• Group Chat Integration (Upcoming): Today Perplexity works in one-on-one chats, but support for group chats is on the roadmap. In future, you might tag the bot in a group or configure it to automatically answer common rumors posted by others. This would allow teams or family groups to have real-time fact-checking without everyone manually forwarding messages.

Why It Matters for WhatsApp Users

With the deluge of forwarded memes and chain messages, staying accurate is hard. As VICE puts it, social media has become “a flaming mess of misinformation,” so tools like this are a welcome help. WhatsApp itself recognized that fake forwards are a problem (especially in large group chats), so Perplexity’s chatbot helps “quickly sort the fakery from the truth” right in the app.

In practice, this means fewer arguments and less confusion. When a cousin shares a crazy conspiracy, instead of debating it publicly, you can quietly forward it to Perplexity and get a factual answer. As one tech writer humorously notes, using a fact-checker might not convince your relative, but it proves you aren’t losing your mind. When you see a suspicious claim, it’s now easy to say: “Hold on, let me verify that.” This empowers everyone to demand proof.

Moreover, because Perplexity provides sources, you don’t have to rely on trust or hearsay. The bot will answer with a line or two and a list of links to news articles or official sites, so you can show anyone the real story. In short, using Perplexity in WhatsApp turns gossip into questions, and gets you answers. In countries like the US, UK, and Canada where group chats cover politics, health myths, or local news, this is especially useful.

Perplexity AI on Telegram: Setup & Key Features

Already using Perplexity on WhatsApp? The new Perplexity AI Telegram bot (@askplexbot) brings the same powerful, source-backed answers directly into your Telegram chats. Just search for @askplexbot in Telegram to add it, then open a chat (one-on-one or in a group) to ask questions or forward messages. The bot responds with concise, source-backed answers, making it easy to fact-check news or find information without leaving Telegram.

Quick Start:

• Open Telegram and find @askplexbot
• Start a conversation or add the bot to a group chat.
• Ask a question or forward any message (text, link, or even an image) for instant verification or insights

Advanced Automation & Creative Tools

Perplexity’s Telegram bot isn’t just for Q&A – it packs powerful features to supercharge your chats:

• Research & Fact-Check: Ask complex questions like “What’s the latest research on climate change?” and get comprehensive, source-cited answers instantly. Forward suspicious news or rumors to the bot, and it will cross-check facts in seconds.
• Summarize & Explore: Paste a link or say “summarize this article”, and @askplexbot will deliver a concise overview of the key points. No need to read full articles – get the gist in one tap.
• Generate Images & Memes: Use creative commands like “Generate an image of a cat wearing sunglasses” to get custom AI images on the fly. You can even ask the bot to make a fun meme for your group.
• Group Chats with AI Bot: Add @askplexbot to your Telegram group to let everyone collaborate. Anyone can mention the bot with a question or forward content, turning group chats into instant research and fact-check centers
• Automate Fact-Checking in Telegram: Advanced users can integrate the bot with no-code workflow tools (like BuildShip) to set up automatic triggers. For example, you could configure it to automatically check any forwarded link or keyword, keeping your chats accurate with minimal effort.

With these features, your Telegram becomes a smarter workspace. Whether you’re a student researching homework, a community admin moderating group discussions, or just curious about the world, @askplexbot is your AI assistant in chat.

WhatsApp vs. Telegram: Which Platform Offers Better Perplexity Features?

Both platforms provide core functionality with some key differences:

Why This Matters for WhatsApp and Telegram Users

With misinformation spreading rapidly through messaging platforms, Perplexity's integration provides a crucial verification tool accessible to anyone. Instead of opening a browser to research claims, you can now verify information without disrupting your conversation flow.

For students, professionals, and anyone who values accurate information, this integration transforms messaging apps from potential misinformation vectors into powerful research tools.

Try Perplexity today:

• WhatsApp: Message +1 (833) 436-3285
• Telegram: Chat with @askplexbot

Try Perplexity AI Yourself – On WhatsApp or Telegram

Tired of misinformation? You can now verify any claim in seconds. Just save +1 (833) 436-3285 to your WhatsApp contacts and forward any message to it — Perplexity AI will reply instantly with source-backed facts. No app downloads. No signups. Just answers.

Prefer using Telegram? Simply search for @askplexbot and start chatting. You can also add the bot to group chats to help fact-check conversations in real time — perfect for friends, family, or community groups.

• Forward rumors, viral posts, or headlines.
• Get real-time, evidence-based answers.
• Works 100% free – no setup or account required.

“This is super useful when WhatsApp groups are filled with a ton of forwarded messages which could be misleading,” explained the Perplexity CEO – and it’s true. Instead of second-guessing online content, let Perplexity do the heavy lifting.

If you found this guide helpful, share it on your social media or in your own chats so others can fact-check more easily.You can also try Perplexity on Telegram for the same fast and reliable experience. And don’t forget to subscribe to Toolkitly or visit our AI blog, Tool Update Central for more tips, tools, latest updates and tutorials.