By Storyboard18
Publication Date: 2026-08-19 04:12:00
Perplexity’s year-long free subscription programme with Airtel has delivered a sharp increase in its Indian user base, but the more important test is now beginning as early subscribers reach the end of their complimentary access. TechCrunch reported that Perplexity’s Indian revenue has continued to grow even after downloads dropped sharply following the end of new redemptions.
The partnership, launched in July 2025, gave Airtel’s 360 million customers a 12-month Perplexity Pro subscription at no cost. The annual plan was valued at about $200. New customers could claim the offer until January 16, 2026, while existing users kept their subscription for a year from the date they activated it.
Downloads fall, but Perplexity keeps a larger user base
The offer produced an immediate surge in Perplexity’s presence in India. Sensor Tower data shared with TechCrunch showed 5.9 million downloads in July 2025, 625% higher than the previous month. That single-month figure was also greater than the 5.4 million downloads recorded during the entire first half of 2025.
The growth continued beyond the launch. Perplexity accumulated an estimated 56 million downloads over the seven months in which new users could take up the Airtel offer, more than nine times the total from the preceding seven months.
That momentum reversed after the redemption window closed. Between February and July 2026, Perplexity recorded only 3.3 million downloads in India, according to Sensor Tower, representing a…