Perplexity AI Makes Audacious $34.5 Billion Bid for Google Chrome

In a stunning move that could reshape the future of the internet, the AI search startup Perplexity has made an unsolicited, all-cash offer of $34.5 billion to acquire Google's Chrome browser. The audacious bid, which is nearly double Perplexity's own valuation, comes at a pivotal moment as a U.S. judge considers whether to force Google to sell Chrome to remedy a landmark antitrust ruling.

The offer, confirmed by multiple sources, is not just a strategic play—it is a direct challenge to Google’s long-held dominance in the search and browser markets. By acquiring Chrome, which has over three billion users worldwide, Perplexity would instantly gain a massive foothold in the internet's most critical "front door."

A Bid Timed to Exploit Antitrust Pressures
The timing of Perplexity's bid is no coincidence. A federal judge previously ruled that Google held an illegal monopoly in internet search, and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is pushing for a forced sale of Chrome as a remedy. Perplexity’s letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai reportedly frames the offer as a way to satisfy this antitrust remedy "in the highest public interest," positioning the startup as a "capable, independent operator" for the browser.

While Google has not commented on the offer and is appealing the antitrust ruling, Perplexity has already made significant commitments designed to alleviate regulatory and user concerns:

Open Source Commitment: Perplexity has pledged to keep the underlying Chromium code open source, ensuring other browser makers can continue to build on the platform.

No Change to Default Search: The company has promised not to change Chrome’s default search engine, which would remain Google, at least initially.

Massive Investment: Perplexity has committed to investing $3 billion over two years in Chrome's development and infrastructure.

The Stakes are High
For Perplexity, which recently launched its own AI-powered browser called Comet, acquiring Chrome would provide a direct route to mass adoption and the massive amount of user data needed to train its AI models. It would also give the company a major advantage over other AI rivals, like OpenAI, which has also reportedly shown interest in acquiring a browser.

For Google, the stakes couldn't be higher. Chrome's massive user base is a vital part of its advertising empire, providing the data that powers its search and ad targeting. Losing Chrome would be a massive blow to the company's control over the internet.

While analysts believe the sale is a long shot, Perplexity’s bold offer has successfully injected a new variable into the high-stakes legal and business battle for the future of internet search.