Perplexity is back in the headlines as the AI startup has made an offer to acquire Google’s Chrome browser, offering $34.5 billion in a cash deal. While the browser is not on the market for sale. The bid, sent directly to Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, aims to position the young AI startup as a stronger competitor in the AI-driven search market.
The interesting part here is that the offer is more than double Perplexity’s own valuation of about $18 billion from recent funding rounds. In its proposal, Perplexity argued that taking Chrome out of Google’s hands and placing it under an independent operator would benefit users, improve competition, and ensure a stronger focus on safety.
Furthermore, the timing is important as well. The US Department of Justice recently ruled that Google holds an illegal monopoly in online search. As a result, regulators have suggested that selling Chrome could be one way to restore competition. While Google has not shown any willingness to sell, it has confirmed plans to appeal the ruling.
Perplexity said it has secured backing from unnamed investment funds to finance the acquisition, though full details are still under wraps. Apart from that, if this deal turns out to be successful, then Perplexity has pledged to keep Chrome’s open-source Chromium code free, invest $3 billion over two years, and maintain the current default search engine.
However, if this acquisition happens, then Chrome will have to compete with Perplexity’s own recently launched Comet browser. Comet is an AI-native browser that works as a cognitive partner rather than a passive tool. While Comet is unlikely to replace Chrome’s scale anytime soon, it signals Perplexity’s ambition in redefining how people interact with the web.
According to some industry analysts, the $34.5 billion offer is bold but faces significant legal and logistical hurdles, especially as any forced sale of Chrome could involve a lengthy court process, potentially reaching the US Supreme Court.
Now, what will happen next, whether Google accepts the offer or not, that is something only time will tell. However, for now, the bid stands as one of the most audacious challenges to Google’s dominance in recent years.
