01What the Perplexity Computer Update Is

The Perplexity Computer update lets you upload files inside side chats while your main task keeps running. This means you can ask a new question, check a file, or compare data without stopping your big job. No more waiting or tab chaos.

Here's how it works. You type a command like /ask to open a side chat. You upload your file there and ask your question.

The main task continues in the background. This is new because before, you had to pause or open a new chat. Now you can work on two things at once in the same space.

Perplexity also lists /side and /btw as other ways to open a side chat. Same thing, different words. The announcement says file uploads in side chats are available to all computer users, but check your own account.

New features can show up at different times.

02Key Features of the New Side Chat Upload

The new update adds file uploads to side chats. Side chats themselves are not brand new. Perplexity's September 21 change log already covers them.

The new part is that you can now upload files.

Here are the main features you get:

  • File uploads in side chats – You can upload a file and ask questions about it while your main task runs.
  • Read-only side chats – The side chat can look at your task files and search the web, but it cannot change your main task.
  • Snapshot-based – The side chat works from a snapshot, which is like a photo of your task at the moment you open the side chat.
  • Multiple commands – You can open a side chat with /ask, /side, or /btw.

One thing to note: the file limits are not known. The Perplexity help page about file upload did not load when this was researched. So check the file size limits and file types for side chats before you plan a big workflow.

03How to Set Up a Side Chat with File Upload

Setting up a side chat with file upload is simple. Here are the steps:

  1. Open Perplexity on your computer.
  2. Start a main task. For example, ask it to research competing AI automation communities.
  3. Type /ask (or /side or /btw) to open a side chat.
  4. Upload your file in the side chat. For example, upload your service list.
  5. Type your question in the side chat. For example, 'Compare this list with the competitors you're researching.'
  6. Let the main task keep running while the side chat gives you answers.

That's it. You can now work on two things at once. Just remember that the side chat is read-only and works from a snapshot.

It cannot change your main task.

04Four Copy-and-Paste Workflows for SEO

Julian Goldie shared four workflows you can copy and paste. Each has three parts: what it's for, the prompt, and what you should get. Each workflow is built around the AI profit boardroom, but you can adapt it.

Workflow 1: Find SEO gaps for the AI profit boardroom. Main task: research competing AI automation communities. Side chat: upload your service list, then say, 'Compare this list with the competitors you're researching. Find three SEO gaps for the AI profit boardroom.

Show the evidence for each one. Flag anything missing. Then suggest next steps for this week.

Don't change the main task.' You should get three SEO gaps with evidence.

Workflow 2: Improve the AI profit boardroom landing page. Main task: research top ranking pages about AI automation. Side chat: upload your landing page outline, then say, 'Review this outline for SEO. Check the title, headings and keys.

Compare it with the pages you found. Explain how the AI profit boardroom can show the value of AI automation and answer visitor questions.' You should get notes on your title, headings, and keywords.

Workflow 3: Plan blog content for the AI profit boardroom. Main task: research questions people ask about AI automation. Side chat: upload your current content list, then say, 'Compare my list with the questions you found. Suggest five new blog topics about AI automation for business owners.

Give a keyword idea for each one. Show which topics I already cover. Keep it simple.' You should get five topic ideas with keyword ideas.

Workflow 4 (bonus): While not explicitly numbered, the pattern is clear. You can create your own by pairing a main task that studies the market with a side chat that checks your own material against it.

05Results and Comparisons from the Episode

In the episode, Julian Goldie demonstrates how side chats produce useful results. For example, in the SEO gaps workflow, the side chat returns three possible SEO gaps with evidence and missing details. He calls this a first draft and says to check every claim before building a page from it.

For the landing page workflow, the side chat gives notes on your title, headings, and keywords. It also gives ideas to answer visitor questions. Julian says to use those notes to edit your outline and then review the final page yourself before publishing.

For the blog content workflow, you get five topic ideas with keyword ideas and a note on overlap. He advises picking the best ones and then checking the keywords in your own SEO tool.

The key comparison is between the main task and the side chat. The main task studies the market. The side chat checks your own material against it.

That pattern works for any business.

06Tips, Limits, and Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some important tips and limits to keep in mind when using the Perplexity Computer update:

  • Snapshots are the tricky part. The side chat works from a snapshot, like a photo of your task at the moment you open it. So open your side chat after the main task has done some work. Then your question has more to work with. Test this yourself before relying on it.
  • Plan your side question before you start. Write two lines. Line one is the main job. Line two is the side question. For example, main job: 'Research who ranks for AI automation topics.' Side question: 'Check my AI profit boardroom page against it.'
  • Add a clear note to your main prompt. At the end of your main prompt, add a line like 'Don't change the main task.' This keeps the side chat from interfering.
  • Keep your question focused. Ask for one job at a time. Ask it to show evidence. Ask it to flag anything missing.
  • Check file limits. The file size limits and file types for side chats are not known from the episode. Check Perplexity's help page first.
  • Verify claims. Treat side chat answers as a first draft. Check every claim before you publish or build a page from it.

07Who the Update Is For and Why It Matters

The update is for anyone who does SEO work. That includes agency owners, creators, freelancers, and small business owners. Here is who benefits most:

  • Agency owners can review a client brief while researching a campaign.
  • Creators and freelancers can check a content outline while researching a new project.
  • Small business owners can compare a service list with market research.

All these are SEO jobs at heart. You research the market, and you check your own material against it. This update makes that faster and less stressful.

It matters because SEO is full of big jobs like keyword research, competitor research, content plans, and page checks. Each takes time. With side chats, you can handle small questions without breaking your flow.

That means less waiting and fewer distractions.

08Where to Get More SEO Help

If you are new to SEO, there is a free SEO course in the description. It has over 260 lessons. The course covers how content strategy works, how to approach link building, and what a good keyword looks like.

It is made to help you build a solid foundation alongside AI tools.

If you want more leads, traffic, or customers, the Goldie Agency can help you rank higher on Google. You can book a free SEO strategy session through the link in the comments or description. They handle backlinks while you focus on growing your business.

Julian Goldie reads every comment, so you can leave a comment below if you have questions. And remember to check the Perplexity changelog for updates, including the October 5, 2026 update mentioned in the episode.