Perplexity AI Bids $34.5B All-Cash for Google Chrome Amid Antitrust Scrutiny

Perplexity AI, a fast-growing artificial intelligence startup, has submitted an unsolicited $34.5 billion all-cash offer to acquire Google’s Chrome browser, aiming to preempt potential antitrust enforcement actions against Alphabet. The offer, which is nearly double Perplexity’s own valuation, has drawn significant attention amid ongoing legal scrutiny of Alphabet’s dominance in the search market. The U.S. Department of Justice is currently seeking remedies for Alphabet’s alleged monopolization of online search, with a court decision expected in the coming weeks [1].

Chrome, with over three billion users globally, plays a central role in Alphabet’s ecosystem by directing online traffic and capturing user data. Perplexity’s proposal includes a pledge to keep Google Search as Chrome’s default engine, maintain the Chromium open-source codebase, and invest $3 billion in browser development over the next two years. The company has reportedly secured funding from unnamed investment funds if the deal progresses [3].

Alphabet has not signaled any intention to sell Chrome, and the offer remains subject to regulatory considerations. The timing coincides with a federal court ruling that found Alphabet violated antitrust laws by monopolizing online search, raising the possibility of forced divestitures. Perplexity’s CEO, Aravind Srinivas, previously worked as a research intern at Google before co-founding the startup in 2022. The company is known for its conversational search engine, which provides summarized answers instead of traditional search results [5].

Industry observers note that the bid highlights the strategic value of controlling web access in the AI era. Whoever owns the browser gateway holds significant influence over how information is accessed and prioritized online. Perplexity has already launched its own AI-powered browser, Comet, and acquiring Chrome could significantly boost its user base and data advantages [6].

While Perplexity is not the first to consider a Chrome acquisition—OpenAI, Yahoo, and Apollo Global Management have also explored bids—the scale and timing of this offer represent a major escalation in the competition to shape the digital landscape. The outcome will depend on regulatory developments, Alphabet’s response, and the feasibility of securing the necessary financing for the deal [7].

Sources: [1] The, https://www.wsj.com/tech/perplexity-ai-google-chrome-offer-5ddb7a22?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=ASWzDAgDyi9bdlefy5kecBDR0qhX5RDiAnPoetGJ2DrhSsjDvND9VjrGgFnm&gaa_sig=cGkjGe52hRWr09mVwPBl1loTd3RwKUy8gS28li-jnlhoAC6Vme5nVdVDc0so6fZ37wH1LJiVTzpMSzlysrI6KQ%3D%3D&gaa_ts=689cee57

[2] AI, https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/08/13/perplexity-offers-34-5b-cash-for-google-chrome-as-doj-antitrust-case-continues/

[3] observer.com, https://observer.com/2025/08/perplexity-ai-bids-google-chrome-browser/

[4] The, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/technology/perplexity-google-chrome-bid.html

[5] Bloomberg.com, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-12/perplexity-makes-34-5-billion-bid-for-google-s-chrome-browser

[6] CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/12/tech/perplexity-google-chrome-bid

[7] New, https://nypost.com/2025/08/12/business/perplexity-ai-makes-34-5b-all-cash-offer-for-google-chrome-browser/