Perplexity Pro Users Hit with 900x Query Limit Downgrade, Sparking Outcry and Refund Demands

Subscribers to Perplexity Pro are reporting severe and sudden reductions in their query limits, prompting significant dissatisfaction and questions about the service's future. Users have seen their daily query allowances slashed dramatically, in some cases from 600 queries per day to a mere 20 per month—a 900x reduction. Support responses have been generic, citing dynamic rate limits to maintain platform quality, and have largely refused refunds for unused portions of subscriptions.

This drastic change has left many feeling cheated, particularly those who paid full price for their annual subscriptions. The general sentiment is that the service has become practically unusable for its intended purpose, especially when compared to the capabilities offered by free tiers of alternative services.

Potential Reasons Behind the Downgrade

Speculation among users points to several strategic motives for Perplexity's abrupt changes:

Cost Management: A prevalent theory suggests that Perplexity may have offered too many Pro subscriptions, potentially including promotional 'giveaways,' making the current cost structure unsustainable. Limiting usage for all but the highest-tier 'Max' plan would help manage operational expenses.
Aggressive Marketing: With potential aggressive advertising campaigns on the horizon, such as during major events like the Super Bowl, controlling usage limits could be a preemptive measure to handle a sudden surge in new users without incurring prohibitive costs.
Financial Pressures: Some believe the company is under pressure to demonstrate sustainable costs or significant profitability in anticipation of an IPO or a new funding round (Series F) in late 2026 or early 2027.

Seeking Recourse: Refunds and Chargebacks

Users who feel they've been ripped off or had their service agreement unilaterally changed are exploring various avenues for recourse:

Direct Refunds: Perplexity's support has been described as unhelpful, often responding via AI bots and denying prorated refunds for the unused portion of annual subscriptions.
Legal Action (EU): For users in the EU, the refusal of refunds in such circumstances is deemed potentially illegal under consumer protection laws. Some individuals are considering contacting local authorities to request full refunds.
Bank Chargebacks: A highly recommended and often effective strategy is to initiate a chargeback through your bank or credit card provider. Many banks offer a window of 90 to 180 days from the date of purchase to file a chargeback, which can be a viable option even for subscriptions purchased a few months prior. This bypasses the vendor's direct refund process and often results in a successful recovery of funds.

As users weigh their options, many are also considering switching to alternative AI search services that offer more generous limits or clearer value propositions, especially given the perceived degradation of Perplexity Pro's offering.