How to Build Perplexity API Automation on Make.com (It’s EASY)

Key takeaways:

• Use Perplexity API with Make.com for no-code automation
• Connect Google Sheets to automate content creation
• Get $5 API credit monthly with Perplexity Pro

Intro paragraphs:
Ever wanted to automate your workflow with Perplexity API but felt overwhelmed by the technical side? I get it—API docs can look scary, and tools like Make.com (formerly Integromat) have a lot going on. But trust me, setting up automation between Perplexity and your favorite apps is way easier than it looks.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the whole process, step by step, using a real example: generating essays from Google Sheets with Perplexity API, all inside Make.com. If you’re new to APIs or no-code automation, you’ll see how simple it is to get started and even expand to more use cases.

Getting to Know Perplexity API and Why It’s Worth Your Time

So, Perplexity isn’t just a search tool—it has its own API, powered by the Sonar model. Why should you care? Sonar is fast, web-connected, and honestly cheaper than most alternatives. If you’re a Perplexity Pro subscriber, you get $5 API credit every month, but you can also buy credits separately if you’re not on Pro. That’s pretty generous for building your own automations or bots.

The API is perfect for tasks like:

• Content generation
• Research automation
• Fact-checking
• Coding help
• Even powering Chrome extensions

If you want to learn more about creating Chrome extensions, check this out: how to write your own Chrome extension.

Why Use Make.com for Automation?

Make.com is a no-code platform (think Zapier, but more flexible and affordable). You can connect almost any app, and you’re billed by credits, not by the number of apps you use. That means you can build pretty complex workflows without worrying about hitting a wall.

Here’s what I like about Make.com:

• Clean, visual interface
• No app connection limits
• Free tier is actually useful
• Great for connecting Google Sheets, email, and APIs

If you’re interested in other ways to automate your workflow, check out how to create new workflows and automations in Zapier.

Step-by-Step: Automate Perplexity API with Make.com

Creating Your Make.com Account and Setting Up the Scenario

Start by signing up at Make.com. After verifying your email, you’ll land on the dashboard. The interface looks busy, but don’t stress—just focus on the “Scenarios” menu. In Make.com, every automation is called a “scenario.”

Click “Create a new scenario.” Name it something like “Perplexity API Essay Generator.”

Connecting Google Sheets as Your Data Source

Hit the big plus button to add your first module. Search for “Google Sheets,” then pick “Watch Rows.” This lets Make.com monitor your spreadsheet for new items.

• Connect your Google account
• Pick the spreadsheet you want (e.g., “My Essay”)
• Choose the sheet and set the header row
• Set the limit to 1 if you want to process one row at a time

If you’re new to Google Sheets, here’s a quick guide on how to create a new folder in Google Drive.

Adding Perplexity API to the Mix

Now, add another module. Search for “HTTP” or look for Perplexity (if available). You want “Create a chat completion.”

• Click “Create a connection”
• Paste your Perplexity API key (get it from Perplexity settings under API)
• Pick the model (usually Sonar for best value)
• Set up the message:
• Role: user
• Content: “Help me generate a paragraph of essay on this topic: {{Sheet Title}}”
• Use variables from Google Sheets to fill in the topic

You can leave “max tokens” and “temperature” blank for now, or tweak them if you want more control over output length and creativity.

Testing the API Module

Before moving on, right-click the module and choose “Run this module only.” Enter a test topic (like “Why AI matters”) and see if you get a response. If you see content in the output, you’re golden.

Writing the Output Back to Google Sheets

Add another Google Sheets module: “Update a row.”

• Pick the same spreadsheet and sheet
• Set the row number (use the ID from the trigger)
• Map the Perplexity API response to the right column (e.g., “Essay Content”)

This step puts the generated essay right back into your sheet, next to the original title.

Running and Scheduling Your Automation

Click “Auto-align” to tidy up your scenario. Hit “Run once” to test the full workflow. If it works, you’ll see new content in your sheet.

Want this to run on a schedule? Add a timer module. You can run it every hour, daily, or whenever you want.

Troubleshooting Common Errors

If you hit an error (like wrong column mapping), double-check:

• Your column headers match what you set in Make.com
• You’re using the right output path for the API response (look for “choices > message > content”)
• Your API key is valid and you have enough credits

If you get stuck, you’ll usually get an email from Make.com explaining what went wrong.

Expanding Your Automation Ideas

This setup is just the start. Here are some ways you can expand:

• Automate social media posts by connecting to Twitter or Facebook
• Use Perplexity to generate product descriptions or blog ideas
• Build a fact-checking bot for your team
• Power up Chrome extensions with AI-generated content

If you’re into organizing your Google Drive, you might like how to transfer Google Drive files to another account.

Keeping Your Automation Running Smoothly

A few tips:

• Make sure your scenario stays active in Make.com
• Monitor your Perplexity API credits (top up if needed)
• Adjust your schedule as your needs change

And if you want to keep your Google Drive tidy, check out how to find and delete duplicates in Google Drive.

FAQs

How do I get my Perplexity API key?

Go to Perplexity settings, find the API section, and generate or copy your key. Keep it secret.

Can I use Perplexity API without a Pro subscription?

Yes, you can buy credits even if you’re not a Pro user. Pro users just get $5 free credit monthly.

What apps can I connect with Make.com?

Pretty much any popular app—Google Sheets, Gmail, Slack, and more.

How do I schedule my scenario to run automatically?

Add a timer module in Make.com and set how often you want it to run.

What if my automation stops working?

Check your API credits, make sure your scenario is active, and look for error emails from Make.com. Usually, it’s a mapping or credit issue.

👾 That’s it! Now you’ve got a working Perplexity API automation on Make.com. Give it a try and see how much time you save.