In an unexpected twist in the AI startup landscape, Perplexity has launched a $34.5 billion bid to acquire Google’s Chrome browser, putting it in direct competition with rival OpenAI. The move is a strategic play to acquire Chrome before it can be potentially sold off as a remedy in Google’s ongoing U.S. antitrust proceedings.
A US federal judge has already ruled that Google has an illegal monopoly on internet search, and a decision on remedies is expected soon. This creates a window of opportunity that Perplexity is attempting to seize. Despite its own $18 billion valuation, the company has stated that it has secured full financing for the deal from “multiple large investment funds.”
To win over users and regulators, Perplexity has promised to maintain the browser’s continuity and avoid “stealth modifications.” The offer is structured to not include any equity in Perplexity, a detail designed to mitigate any antitrust concerns related to the acquisition itself. Google, for its part, has not yet commented on the unsolicited bid.
This isn’t the first time Perplexity has made a strategic bid for a major internet property facing regulatory pressure; it previously offered to merge with TikTok’s U.S. operations. The interest in web browsers from AI companies highlights their growing importance as a platform for deploying AI agents that can perform a range of tasks for users. If the offer is approved, Perplexity has pledged to invest $3 billion over two years into Chrome and Chromium and to retain a substantial portion of the browser’s talent.
