Imagine the browser window you open first thing every morning—Google Chrome. What if that friendly portal were to be sold? Sounds dramatic, right? Yet, that’s exactly the twist Perplexity AI, a nimble startup founded by IIT alumni, just delivered by offering $34.5 billion to acquire Google Chrome—a browser with over 3 billion users worldwide. It’s a jaw-dropper: nearly double Perplexity’s own $18 billion valuation. Welcome, dear reader, to a story not just about money, but strategy, ambition, and the future of how we surf the web.
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The Bold Bid: Perplexity’s $34.5B Offer
Perplexity, valued at $18 billion, made an unsolicited all-cash offer of $34.5 billion to acquire Google Chrome. It was confirmed via official statements, including those to The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg. The bid was backed by major venture funds, though unnamed.The VergeThe Wall Street JournalThe Times of India In filing its proposal, the company pledged to invest over $3 billion into Chrome and its open-source foundation, Chromium, within two years—without compromising user experience or advertiser interests.The VergeThe Wall Street Journal
Why It Matters
- Chrome dominates with over 60% global market share and 3.5 billion users—the ultimate gatekeeper to search.The Wall Street JournalThe Verge
- The offer strategically positions Perplexity as a credible, independent candidate in the event a U.S. judge orders Chrome divestiture as part of an antitrust remedy.The Wall Street JournalThe Verge
- It’s a masterclass in visibility—Perplexity catapulted itself into headlines and investor conversations with one move.AxiosNew York Post
Why Chrome Is the Crown Jewel
Imagine Chrome as a posh road lined with billboards—every user’s eye glance along the way gives data and opportunity. That’s Google’s world: Chrome feeds trillions into its $300 billion ad engine by tracking clicks, visits, and patterns.Yahoo FinanceThe Wall Street Journal Without Chrome, Google risks losing its most powerful window into user behavior.
Global Reach, Local Impact
Antitrust Drama: Courtroom as Battleground
In August 2024, Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google illegally monopolised search. Remedies proposed include dismantling default agreements—or even forcing Google to sell Chrome.The Wall Street Journalchromeunboxed.com
Perplexity’s offer comes just as Mehta’s decision is expected—likely end of August 2025.The Wall Street Journal It’s timely, tactical—and perhaps purposefully provocative.
Perplexity’s Playbook: Openness as Assurance
Perplexity’s proposal emphasized:
- No stealth changes to Chrome.
- Keeping Chromium open-source.
- Retaining Google as the default search, with users free to change.The Wall Street JournalThe Verge
That approach frames Perplexity as a responsible steward—not a takeover artist.
Risk & Skepticism: Analysts Push Back
Analysts weren’t instantly impressed:
- Some called the offer a lowball—short of estimates like DuckDuckGo’s $50B valuation.Ars TechnicaThe Wall Street Journal
- They reminded readers that Perplexity doesn’t have that kind of cash on hand—its valuation is less than half the offer.Ars TechnicaNew York Post
- Many view the move as a branding play: even if Google doesn’t sell, media conversations tip in Perplexity’s favor.AxiosArs Technica
Broader Contestants: The AI Frenzy for Chrome
Perplexity isn’t alone:
- OpenAI, via ChatGPT leadership, said they too would be interested if Chrome were divested.9to5GoogleCybernews
- Yahoo also expressed interest—possibly as part of its own browser aspirations.Perplexity AI9to5Google
This is no longer about one startup—it’s a browser war, with AI firms circling a crown.
From Comet to Chrome: Perplexity’s Browser Ambitions
Perplexity isn’t just an outside nomad—it’s building its own browser, Comet, with AI agents to assist tasks like shopping, email drafting, and content summarization.Industry WiredNew York PostWikipedia In fact, CEO Aravind Srinivas predicted that AI browsers like Comet might make traditional browsers obsolete someday.Industry Wired That makes the Chrome acquisition both symbolic and foundational to a broader strategy.
Section Summaries: What You Should Remember
The Bid
Perplexity’s $34.5B bid is bold but backed—designed to position itself as a credible buyer amid Google’s antitrust battle.
Why It Matters
Controlling Chrome means controlling search access—and Perplexity is aiming straight for the browser’s brass ring.
Court Play
Judge Mehta’s decision looms—and Perplexity wants to be on the shortlist, not in the shadows.
What’s on the Table
Perplexity’s proposal safeguards continuity, opens code, and keeps Google as default—but users still hold the keys.
The Skeptics’ View
Analysts say it’s a PR masterstroke—possibly undervalued, possibly performative, but impossible to ignore.
The AI Browser Race
OpenAI, Yahoo, and others are eyeing Chrome. It’s not just about search—it’s about AI immersion at scale.
Comet’s Context
Call-to-Action
What do you think? Would you switch to a Chrome run by an AI startup—or stick with the familiar Google? Drop a comment, share your view, and let’s keep this conversation going.
Who else wants Chrome?
OpenAI and Yahoo have also expressed interest if Google is forced to sell.
Will Perplexity change Chrome?
They pledge not to make stealth changes and to keep it open-source.
Does Perplexity have the funds?
The offer is backed by venture funds, but specifics are not disclosed.
What is Perplexity’s bid for Chrome?
It’s an unsolicited $34.5B all-cash offer to acquire Google Chrome.
Why would Google sell Chrome?
It might be forced to divest as an antitrust remedy for its search monopoly.