# ’m running into a consistent issue with Perplexity where the API results are noticeably worse than the web UI even when I use the same query.

**URL:** <https://community.perplexity.ai/t/m-running-into-a-consistent-issue-with-perplexity-where-the-api-results-are-noticeably-worse-than-the-web-ui-even-when-i-use-the-same-query/3553>\
**Category:** Bug Reports\
**Tags:** sonar-api, search-api\
**Created:** [January 17, 2026, 3:05am UTC](https://community.perplexity.ai/t/m-running-into-a-consistent-issue-with-perplexity-where-the-api-results-are-noticeably-worse-than-the-web-ui-even-when-i-use-the-same-query/3553 "2026-01-17T03:05:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Raul\_Iglesias](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/community.perplexity.ai/raul_iglesias/32/2424_2.png) [@Raul\_Iglesias](https://community.perplexity.ai/u/Raul_Iglesias)\
**Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 3:05am UTC](https://community.perplexity.ai/t/m-running-into-a-consistent-issue-with-perplexity-where-the-api-results-are-noticeably-worse-than-the-web-ui-even-when-i-use-the-same-query/3553/1 "2026-01-17T03:05:14Z")

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Hey folks — I’m running into a consistent issue with Perplexity where the API results are noticeably worse than the web UI even when I use the same query.  
On the web I get deeper, better-structured research with stronger source coverage. Through the API, the answers often feel shallower, sometimes with different sources, and overall lower quality — and this seems to be happening frequently, not just as a one-off.  
Has anyone else seen this?

- Is there a known reason (different model/mode, retrieval depth, source limits, etc.)?

- Any recommended settings/patterns to get API output closer to the web experience (multi-step search, higher context, citations enforcement, etc.)?

- Or is this simply a limitation of the API vs the product UI?

Would really appreciate any guidance, thx