Perplexity Aims to Buy Chrome in $34.5 Billion Bid as Valuation Rises to $20 Billion

Perplexity AI, the developer of an AI-powered search engine, is preparing for a new funding round that could value the company at $20 billion, a notable rise from its previous valuation of $18 billion in July 2025. The funding is reportedly intended to support Perplexity’s $34.5 billion all-cash bid to acquire Google’s Chrome browser, a move that could significantly reshape the tech industry's competitive landscape [2]. The proposed acquisition has been described as an unsolicited offer, made in the context of an ongoing antitrust case against Google, where a U.S. district court judge may soon rule on whether the browser must be divested to reduce Google’s dominance in web search [1].

Perplexity has seen a dramatic increase in valuation since January 2024, when it was valued at just $520 million. The company now reports an annual recurring revenue of $80 million and has 22 million monthly active users [2]. This rapid growth has drawn significant investor interest and underlines the company’s growing influence in the AI and web infrastructure sectors. Analysts have noted that the company’s trajectory mirrors the broader trend of integrating advanced AI into core internet tools, a strategy that positions Perplexity at the forefront of a digital transformation [2].

The proposed Chrome acquisition represents more than just a strategic business move—it is a bold statement of intent. If completed, it would mark one of the most dramatic expansions in the AI and browser technology fields, signaling Perplexity’s ambition to redefine how users interact with the web. The company’s recent launch of Comet, its own AI-powered browser, suggests a clear vision for the future of web search and digital interaction [1].

The Chrome bid has also drawn attention from other major players in the AI and finance sectors. OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is reportedly also interested in acquiring Chrome, as are Apollo Global Management and Yahoo. The potential for a highly competitive bidding process highlights the strategic value of the browser in the evolving digital ecosystem.

Despite the growing interest and speculation, neither Perplexity nor Google has officially commented on the matter as of the time of reporting. However, the sheer scale of the offer and the valuation jump indicate that Perplexity is positioning itself to play a pivotal role in the next phase of the internet’s development.

The AI race is increasingly extending into the web search market, with AI models like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini relying on internet-sourced information to enhance their responses. Perplexity’s efforts to integrate AI directly into browser technology align with this trend, offering a glimpse of a future where search, browsing, and AI are seamlessly intertwined.

The latest developments reinforce the idea that the web browser is no longer just a tool for accessing the internet—it is a critical component of the AI-driven digital infrastructure. As companies like Perplexity and OpenAI continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, the competitive dynamics of the tech industry are set for a fundamental shift.

[1] https://mlq.ai/news/

[2] https://www.coinlive.com/news-flash/871556