Access Perplexity API In n8n To Scrape Live Website Data Through HTTP Request Authorization 🤖

Summary

In this video, Josh Pook demonstrates how to integrate Perplexity's API into n8n, an open-source automation tool similar to Zapier and Make.com. He guides viewers through setting up an HTTP node in n8n to perform a POST request for chat completions with Perplexity, explaining the process of adding headers and body parameters. Josh also highlights the benefits of using Perplexity for real-time data and research in automation workflows, comparing it favorably to other AI APIs. The video concludes with a test of the setup and a note on the current limitations of accessing citations and images through the API.

Takeaways

• 😀 Josh Pook is the presenter of the video, focusing on integrating Perplexity's API into n8n for automation sequences.
• 🤖 n8n is an open-source alternative to Zapier and Make.com for automation, which can be self-hosted to avoid costs.
• 🔗 There is no native Perplexity node in n8n, but it can be integrated using HTTP requests.
• 📚 The main action available with Perplexity's API is 'chat completions', which is straightforward to implement.
• 🌐 The API endpoint for chat completions is provided, and a POST HTTP request is used for the integration.
• 🔑 Authentication for the API is done using a header with a Bearer token, which requires an API key from the Perplexity account.
• 📝 The video includes instructions on setting up the HTTP node in n8n with the correct headers and body for the request.
• 📈 Perplexity offers different models with varying parameters and capabilities, including the ability to perform online searches.
• 💰 The pricing for using Perplexity's API is discussed, with a cost of $5 per thousand requests for the 'large' model.
• 🚫 Currently, features like citations and images are in a closed beta and not fully available to all users.
• 🔍 The video demonstrates a test of the integration, showing how to ask questions and request data from Perplexity.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video by Josh Pook?

The main purpose of the video is to demonstrate how to connect Perplexity's API into n8n node modules and scenarios for automation sequences.

What is n8n and how does it relate to Perplexity?

n8n is an open-source automation workflow tool, similar to Zapier and Make.com, which can be self-hosted. The video shows how to integrate Perplexity's API into n8n despite n8n not having a native Perplexity node.

Why would someone choose to self-host n8n?

Self-hosting n8n is beneficial because it is open source, which means there are no costs associated with using it, making it ideal for those with extensive automation needs.

What is the primary action available with Perplexity's API according to the video?

The primary action available with Perplexity's API is 'chat completions', which is used for generating responses based on input prompts.

How does one make an API call to Perplexity's API for chat completions?

An API call to Perplexity's chat completions is made using a POST HTTP request to the provided URL with the necessary headers and JSON body parameters.

What are some of the body parameters that can be included in a request to Perplexity's API?

Some of the body parameters include 'max_tokens', 'temperature', 'top_p', 'return_citation', and 'return_images', which allow customization of the API response.

What is the significance of the 'return_citations' and 'return_images' parameters in the API request?

The 'return_citations' and 'return_images' parameters, when included, instruct the API to provide citations and images along with the chat completion response, adding depth to the information provided.

How can one obtain the API key needed for authentication with Perplexity's API?

To obtain the API key, one must go to their Perplexity account settings, navigate to the API section, ensure they have credits, and then generate an API key.

What are the different models supported by Perplexity's API as mentioned in the video?

The supported models include 'llama 3', 'sonar small 32k', 'chat 32k', 'online 32k', and models with 7 billion and 8 billion parameters.

What is the current status of accessing citations and images through Perplexity's API?

As of the video's recording, accessing citations and images through Perplexity's API is limited and in closed beta, with access granted to users who apply and describe their use case.

How does Perplexity's API differ from other AI APIs like OpenAI's in terms of research capabilities?

Perplexity's API is noted for its ability to perform online searches and provide live, accurate data, making it superior for research purposes compared to other AI APIs like OpenAI's.