tech
Perplexity's free AI offer left it with millions more users in India
Perplexity's India revenue rose about 60% after the Airtel offer ended for new users, even as downloads declined.
TL;DR
- Perplexity provided a free 12-month Perplexity Pro subscription to 360 million Airtel customers in India.
- The promotion resulted in 56 million downloads in India during the offer period, a significant increase compared to previous months.
- Monthly active users peaked at 22 million during the promotion.
- After the free offer ended for new users, downloads fell by over 90%.
- However, Perplexity's revenue in India increased by about 60% in the period following the end of new free offer redemptions.
- This revenue growth occurred despite a decline in downloads and as some early free subscribers reached the end of their Pro access.
- Data suggests Perplexity's growth was specific to its app, not just a general rise in AI app interest.
- Other AI companies like OpenAI and Google have also launched similar subsidized or free offers in India.
- The long-term success of converting free users to paying customers in India remains to be seen as more free subscription periods expire.