Perplexity AI Offers $34.5B for Google’s Chrome Browser

• Startup Perplexity proposes a $34.5B cash deal for Chrome amid antitrust pressure on Google, aiming to reshape the AI search landscape.

A Surprising Bid in a Shifting Market

AI startup Perplexity has submitted an unsolicited $34.5 billion all-cash offer to acquire Google’s Chrome browser. The move comes as regulatory scrutiny intensifies around Alphabet’s dominance in online search, with Chrome seen as a key asset in that ecosystem. Despite being valued at just $14 billion, Perplexity claims multiple unnamed investment funds are prepared to fully finance the deal. Google has not responded publicly, and the browser is not officially for sale.

Led by CEO Aravind Srinivas, Perplexity has previously made bold acquisition overtures, including a proposed merger with TikTok’s U.S. operations earlier this year. The company’s latest offer arrives as the Department of Justice pushes for remedies in an antitrust case against Google, including a potential divestiture of Chrome. A ruling from U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta is expected soon, though legal experts anticipate a lengthy appeals process. Chrome’s central role in Google’s search and advertising business makes any sale highly contentious.

Strategic Intent and Technical Commitments

Perplexity’s proposal outlines several commitments aimed at easing regulatory and user concerns. The company pledges to invest $3 billion over two years into Chrome’s development and infrastructure. It also promises to keep Chromium—the open-source foundation of Chrome—freely available to developers. Importantly, the bid includes no equity component and would retain Google as the default search engine within Chrome.

These terms suggest Perplexity is positioning itself as a neutral steward of the browser, rather than a disruptive force. The startup already operates its own AI-powered browser, Comet, which automates certain user tasks. Acquiring Chrome would grant Perplexity access to over three billion users, significantly boosting its reach in the competitive AI search space. OpenAI and Yahoo have also expressed interest in Chrome, signaling broader industry ambitions tied to browser control.

Legal Challenges and Market Valuation

Analysts remain skeptical about the likelihood of Google accepting the offer. Chrome is deeply integrated into Google’s AI strategy, including features like Overviews—AI-generated search summaries designed to retain market share. Selling the browser could undermine Google’s data pipeline and weaken its competitive edge. Legal scholars expect any divestiture order to face prolonged appeals, potentially reaching the Supreme Court.

Perplexity’s bid also falls short of some market estimates. DuckDuckGo CEO Gabriel Weinberg has suggested Chrome could be worth at least $50 billion if sold under regulatory pressure. Others believe the true value may be closer to $100 billion, given Chrome’s role in user data collection and advertising revenue. Despite the uncertainty, Perplexity’s offer has sparked renewed debate over the future of browser ownership in an AI-driven internet.