How to Remove Bad Sources from Perplexity AI? [FAQs Solved]

Perplexity AI is a powerful “smart librarian,” but sometimes it checks out the wrong book. It might cite a random Reddit comment as a fact, or include a biased blog you don’t trust.

In the past, you could simply hover over a source and click a small “X” button to delete it. Nevertheless, in recent updates, that button has largely disappeared from the standard text search interface.

So, how do you fix a bad answer now?

In this tutorial, we will show you the 3 verified ways that actually work today. They will help you remove sources and clean up your research from Perplexity AI.

Method 1: The ‘Rewrite’ Command (Most Reliable)

Best for: When the answer is already written, but it uses one specific bad source.

You can’t click “delete” on a source card anymore. You must use a natural language command to tell the AI to fix it. This works better than complex codes because Perplexity understands English instructions perfectly.

Step-by-Step:

Find the Bad Source: Look at the citation numbers. Let’s say citation [1] is from quora.com, and you hate it. Select the response from which you want to remove the source

A screenshot showing the bottom of an answer. A red arrow points to the "Add to follow-up" button (plus icon) near the "Check sources" option. This indicates where users can add new files or context, or potentially manage the thread's direction further.

Type a Correction: In the “Ask a follow-up” bar at the bottom, type this exact command:

“Rewrite the answer, but only ignore the -site: sciencedirect.com and do not use any information from sciencedirect.com”

The Result: Perplexity will read your command. It will generate a completely fresh answer using only the remaining trusted sources. These sources will be listed at the end but not used in the response.

A screenshot demonstrating how to remove a specific source using natural language. The user has typed: "Rewrite the answer, but only ignore the -site: sciencedirect.com and do not use any information from sciencedirect.com." The AI's response is titled "Geological Eras (Sans ScienceDirect)," confirming it has regenerated the content while excluding that specific domain.

Method 2: Writing Mode

Best for: When you want clean text to copy-paste without any sources.

If your goal is just to get a clean paragraph for an email or presentation, you don’t need the sources cluttering the text. You don’t need to delete sources one by one. You just need to turn off the ‘Web’ feature.

Step-by-Step:

Start a New Thread: Click New Thread (or press Ctrl+I).

A screenshot of the Perplexity search bar. The input field asks "Ask anything..." On the right side of the bar, the "Focus" button (represented by a globe icon) is visible next to the attachment and microphone icons. This button allows users to narrow down where the AI searches for information.

Locate Globe icon: Provides modes.

A screenshot of the Perplexity search bar. A red arrow points to the "Focus" button (a globe icon) located near the microphone button. This is the first step to narrowing down or filtering specific sources before searching.

Turn off ‘Web Search’: Turn off the Web search option from the list.

A screenshot of the expanded "Focus" or source selection menu. It displays a list of specific domains the AI can be directed to search, including "Web" (currently active), "Finance," "Academic," "Social," and integrations like "Gmail with Calendar" and "Outlook." This shows how users can filter or remove certain types of sources from their query.

Ask Your Question: Type your prompt now.

A screenshot of the search input field where the user has typed "History of mars" to begin a standard search session.

The Result: Perplexity will write a response from its internal memory, like standard ChatGPT. It will have zero citations, zero web links, and no sources to remove.

A screenshot of the initial result generated by Perplexity. It provides a detailed "Formation and Early History" of Mars, citing standard sources. This serves as the baseline before any specific sources are removed.

A screenshot of a text-based response from Perplexity regarding the history of Mars. The text discusses "Private efforts like SpaceX" and "Current Mysteries and Future," mentioning debates on past life and upcoming missions like ESCAPADE. The answer concludes with a follow-up question: "What aspect of Mars history intrigues you most...?"

Take Control of Your Research

Perplexity AI is an amazing tool because it combines the speed of a robot with the sources of a librarian. But remember: you are the boss, not the AI.

By learning how to remove bad sources, you take control of your research. You stop letting random websites clutter your answers and start getting the exact information you need. Whether you are writing a school paper or just winning an argument with a friend, these little tricks make your results cleaner, smarter, and more trustworthy.

Ready to try it?

Go open Perplexity right now, ask a question, and try removing just one source. You’ll be surprised at how much better your answer gets!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you delete sources in Perplexity?

You can delete sources by clicking the “View Sources” button at the top of an answer. This opens a list of all websites used. Simply click the X or deselect the website you want to remove, and Perplexity will rewrite the answer without it.
How to remove related from Perplexity?

At the bottom of every answer, Perplexity shows “Related” follow-up questions. You cannot permanently “turn off” this feature in the settings as it is a core part of the tool. However, you can simply ignore them or collapse the thread if the interface allows it on your specific device.

How does Perplexity choose its sources?

Perplexity acts like a search engine (like Google). It looks for websites that have high authority, are relevant to your keywords, and are recent. It tries to pick the most “trustworthy” results, but sometimes it makes mistakes, which is why manual removal is useful.
How do I delete a citation source?

If you see a citation number (like [1]) that leads to a bad link, you can ask Perplexity to “remove source [1] and correct the answer.” You can also manually deselect it in the “View Sources” menu to force the AI to forget that specific link.
Can I permanently block a website from Perplexity?

There is no “permanent block list” in your account settings yet. You must use the -site:domain.com command (Method 2) every time you search if you want to exclude a site like Reddit or Wikipedia consistently.
Does removing a source change the answer?

Yes! When you remove a source, Perplexity loses that piece of information. It will re-read your question and try to find a new source to fill in the blank, or it will rewrite the answer using only the remaining sources.
How to remove sources in perplexity using “Writing” mode?

“Writing” mode turns off the search engine entirely. If you select “Writing” from the Focus menu, Perplexity will not look for any sources. This means your answer will have zero sources and zero citations.
Why can’t I click “X” on a source?

If you cannot edit sources, you might be on an older version of the app, or the thread might be too old (cached). Try starting a New Thread and asking the question again. The edit features work best on fresh searches.

Will Perplexity remember which sources I deleted?

No. If you start a new thread tomorrow with the same question, Perplexity will likely find that source again. You have to remove it again or use the -site: exclusion trick.
Can I add my own sources?

Yes! You can upload a PDF or text file. Perplexity will treat your file as a “source.” If you want the AI to only use your file and remove all web sources, select “writing” mode or tell it: “Use only the uploaded file to answer.”

Check out more Perplexity Hacks on AppliedAI Tools

Make the most of Perplexity for your personal or workplace productivity:

Twice a month, we share AppliedAI Trends newsletter.

Get SHORT AND ACTIONABLE REPORTS on AI Trends across new AI tools launched and jobs affected due to AI tools. Explore new business opportunities due to AI technology breakthroughs. This includes links to top articles you should not miss, like this ChatGPT hack tutorial you just read.

Subscribe to get AppliedAI Trends newsletter – twice a month, no fluff, only actionable insights on AI trends:

You can access past AppliedAI Trends newsletter here:

Applied AI TRENDS Newsletter

This blog post is written using resources of Merrative. We are a publishing talent marketplace that helps you create publications and content libraries.

Get in touch if you would like to create a content library like ours. We specialize in the niche of Applied AI, Technology, Machine Learning, or Data Science.

Applied AI Tools