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For years, right-wing political commentator Ben Shapiro has read out the standard 60-second host-read ad, plugging sponsors with the same no-frills efficiency on his podcast.
But this year, his audience will hear something new: real-time answers verifying claims thanks to AI search engine, Perplexity.
This isn’t your typical ad placement. Instead of a scripted endorsement, Shapiro will integrate Perplexity into podcast The Ben Shapiro Show—hosted on The Daily Wire, the conservative media outlet he co-founded in 2015—using it mid-show to verify claims, dig into cultural topics, and reinforce his signature mantra: facts over feelings.
THE TAKEDOWN: AOC losing to facts in today’s Takedown segment powered by new search partner @perplexity_ai
Perplexity is available online at https://t.co/K8swbPpRpd and on iOS, Android, and Mac. pic.twitter.com/uv0EyL9h9o
— The Ben Shapiro Show (@BenShapiroShow) March 7, 2025
The deal, structured as an annual partnership for 2025, marks Perplexity’s first native ad integration with a media outlet. Financial details weren’t disclosed. But beyond the ad mechanics, the partnership signals a broader cultural shift: Tech companies, once shy of aligning with right-wing personalities, are increasingly embracing these platforms—reflecting a changing dynamic between Silicon Valley and political media.
Perplexity was among the tech giants, including Google and Meta, present at President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January. It was there that Perplexity’s chief business officer Dmitry Shevelenko met Shapiro for the first time, Shevelenko told ADWEEK.
“Ben very much prides himself on fearlessly pursuing the truth. This was just a good fit,” Shevelenko said.
This isn’t Perplexity’s first foray into advertising—previously, the AI search tool appeared in a Sunday Night Football ad featuring Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh. However, the startup—valued at $9 billion—is taking a different approach with its native ad deal with The Daily Wire. Rather than relying on the traditional sponsored ad format, Perplexity aims to integrate more seamlessly into content, avoiding the typical just another ad feel.