Perplexity makes $34.5 billion offer for Google's, GOOGL, chrome

Artificial intelligence search startup Perplexity has made an unexpected, unsolicited $34.5 billion bid to acquire Google’s Chrome browser — a bold move from a challenger to Google Search that hopes to redefine how people access information online.

Perplexity spokesperson Jesse Dwyer confirmed the details of the offer to CNN, after the news was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

The bid arrives at a critical moment for Google, which is awaiting a court decision following a landmark antitrust ruling last year that concluded the company had violated U.S. antitrust law through its search business. As part of its proposed remedies, the U.S. Justice Department has suggested Google be required to divest its Chrome browser.

Google has vowed to appeal that ruling, describing the potential spinoff of Chrome as an “unprecedented proposal” that it claims would harm both consumers and online security. In response to Perplexity’s offer, Google declined to provide additional comment to CNN.

Although Perplexity’s proposal faces long odds given Google’s staunch opposition to any forced sale of Chrome, the move underscores how emerging AI firms are increasingly willing to challenge Big Tech’s most entrenched players in order to reshape the internet for the AI era.

Founded less than three years ago, Perplexity operates an AI-powered search platform that uses advanced models to parse web content and deliver concise, curated summaries — while also providing source links for transparency. The company officially launched its AI search engine in December 2022, directly competing with Google’s dominant search offering.

In July, Perplexity introduced its own AI-driven web browser called Comet. The company promotes Comet as a highly personalized browsing tool capable of integrating a user’s calendars, open tabs, social media feeds, and more into a unified experience. Meanwhile, OpenAI is also rumored to be developing a web browser, according to Reuters — another indication that AI firms are moving aggressively into the core tools people use to navigate the web.

If Perplexity were to acquire Chrome, the company said it would preserve users’ existing settings — including keeping Google as the default search engine — Dwyer told CNN.