Perplexity AI Offers Google $34.5 Billion to Buy Chrome

In a bold move shaking up Silicon Valley, Perplexity AI has confirmed an unsolicited cash offer of $34.5 billion to acquire the world’s most popular web browser: Google Chrome. The deal, first reported by Reuters, underscores how intense regulatory scrutiny and AI-driven innovation are rewriting tech’s competitive landscape.

Perplexity’s Ambitions

Founded in 2022 and now backed by giants like Nvidia, Perplexity is valued at $18 billion and has roughly 50 employees. Its specialty? Large language models and an AI-powered search engine aiming to rival Google Search. Recently, Perplexity launched the agentic Comet browser (built on Chromium) and started exploring an official partnership with Mozilla to make its AI search a default in Firefox.

The company’s offer would make Chrome the flagship product in Perplexity’s vision for an open, user-centric browser future. Perplexity promises:

• $3 billion in investment over two years.
• Preserving user choice by maintaining Google as the default search engine.
• Keeping the Chromium codebase open source, supporting browser diversity and innovation.

Why Chrome, Why Now?

Chrome has more than three billion users and represents the crown jewel in internet navigation across desktop and mobile. DuckDuckGo’s CEO recently estimated Chrome alone is worth $50 billion, far beyond Perplexity’s entire valuation.

Regulators have zeroed in on Google’s search dominance. A recent federal court ruling declared Google’s share of the search market an illegal monopoly. The Department of Justice is preparing to force Alphabet to divest Chrome, setting up a massive bidding war among would-be buyers — and making Perplexity’s bold offer a headline-grabbing first salvo.

Will Alphabet Sell?

Alphabet has not responded to the bid. Industry insiders say Google is not ready to give up its flagship browser, and legal wrangling could drag on for months, if not years. Nonetheless, the DOJ’s antitrust case could force Google’s hand sooner rather than later, putting Chrome’s future up for grabs.

Wider Impact: AI and Browsers

Both Perplexity and rivals like OpenAI are racing to shape the future of web browsing through “agentic” AI-powered browsers. Control of Chrome — not just its codebase, but its brand and user experience — would give Perplexity a massive edge in harnessing data and delivering next-gen web tools.

Perplexity’s CEO emphasized user choice and competition, but the move highlights the growing arms race over control of browsing, search data, and user privacy.

What’s Next?

• Alphabet faces regulatory fire and a possible forced sale.
• Perplexity, backed by deep-pocketed funds, has made the first official bid.
• If Chrome is auctioned, rival tech and AI firms could join in — with ripple effects for billions of users worldwide.

Earlier this year, Perplexity tried to buy TikTok amid US ban fears, signaling its aggressive posture in reshaping internet giants.