Perplexity has officially introduced Comet Plus, a subscription-based service that represents a major shift in how AI platforms collaborate with publishers. By creating a revenue-sharing model for the very content that powers its ecosystem, Perplexity is setting a new precedent for fair compensation in the AI-driven web era.
Comet Plus is a new subscription tier within Perplexity’s AI browser, Comet, designed to give users access to premium content from a curated group of publishers and journalists. The subscription costs $5 per month, though existing Perplexity Pro and Max members can access it for free.
What makes Comet Plus truly innovative is its publisher payout system, which rewards publishers not only for traditional clicks and traffic but also for citations in AI-generated answers and actions completed by AI agents using publisher content. This ensures that value created by AI tools translates into real compensation for content creators.
To kick off the program, Perplexity has committed an initial pool of $42.5 million to participating publishers. Of the revenue generated from Comet Plus, 80% will be distributed directly to publishers, while the remaining 20% covers operational and compute costs.
The payout system considers three distinct types of traffic and engagement:
This structure allows publishers to benefit from the full spectrum of interactions happening within the AI ecosystem.
The launch of Comet Plus comes at a time when many publishers express concern that AI-driven search and browsing are cutting into their web traffic and ad revenues. By introducing a transparent and sustainable revenue stream, Perplexity is aiming to bridge the gap between AI innovation and publisher sustainability.
Jessica Chan, Perplexity’s Head of Publisher Partnerships, emphasized the company’s mission: “Perplexity only succeeds if journalism succeeds. We’re really committed to building and funding more sustainable, thriving news ecosystems for the AI age.”
Comet Plus is more than just a subscription tier—it’s a milestone in redefining relationships between AI platforms and publishers. By ensuring journalists and content creators are fairly compensated, Perplexity is helping preserve the ecosystem of quality reporting and research that fuels AI systems.
As AI becomes increasingly central to browsing, research, and daily digital workflows, initiatives like Comet Plus may serve as a blueprint for how technology and journalism can coexist with mutual benefit.
Via: (Source - HT)
Comments