Perplexity Bids $34.5 Billion for Google Chrome Amid Antitrust Scrutiny

Perplexity, an AI-driven search technology startup, has submitted an unsolicited $34.5 billion cash offer to acquire Google’s Chrome browser, according to a report citing a Perplexity spokesperson [1]. The offer, made to Alphabet’s Google, represents a bold move in the ongoing antitrust scrutiny surrounding the search giant. The U.S. government has previously indicated that Chrome could be part of potential remedies in the antitrust case against Google, which ruled in 2024 that the company illegally monopolized the search market [2].

Perplexity’s bid is significantly higher than the startup’s estimated valuation of $18 billion and is positioned as a potential solution to promote competition in the browser and search markets. The startup emphasized that it would maintain the open-source Chromium project, retain Google as the default search engine in Chrome, and invest $3 billion over two years to continue the browser’s development [2]. Additionally, Perplexity plans to extend job offers to a large portion of Chrome’s current workforce if the deal moves forward.

The proposed acquisition highlights the strategic value of Chrome in the digital ecosystem. The browser has over 3.5 billion users globally and serves as a key access point for user data and search placements, which are central to Google’s advertising revenue [3]. Perplexity, which operates an AI-powered search engine offering real-time results and citations, has grown to 30 million monthly active users and generates around $150 million in annual revenue. The company has also developed Comet, an AI-native browser that supports advanced functions such as content summarization and automated task execution [4].

Perplexity’s offer comes amid shifting dynamics in the AI and browser markets. OpenAI, led by Sam Altman, has also expressed interest in acquiring Chrome if antitrust regulators force a divestiture, and the company is preparing to launch its own AI-powered browser [1]. The $34.5 billion figure aligns with conflicting estimates of Chrome’s value. While some analysts have suggested the browser could be worth as much as $50 billion, others have placed it at around $20 billion [3].

Google has historically resisted the idea of selling Chrome. CEO Sundar Pichai testified in court that a forced sale could hinder innovation and compromise user privacy. The company has instead advocated for alternatives such as ending or renegotiating exclusive agreements with partners like Apple and Android [4].

The outcome of the U.S. Department of Justice’s antitrust review and Google’s response to Perplexity’s offer will determine whether the deal proceeds. The bid underscores the growing influence of AI startups in digital infrastructure and the potential for regulatory enforcement to reshape the browser and search markets.

Source:

[1] https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/ai-startup-perplexity-makes-bold-345-billion-bid-googles-chrome-browser-2025-08-12/

[2] https://www.wsj.com/tech/perplexity-ai-google-chrome-offer-5ddb7a22?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=ASWzDAhPdNmqnqreWXO0FygeIIpDmBLu7T6q03bPvLvfqMfM3HTDQcW4GJSk&gaa_sig=Ek7dYNpJQxZJ-U-s4xonki4Ev5Nh3zSZcCUKpizxBZRVBm8Bd6tDE0TxDbMarfMvR5w4WQT3i3Y-BrYRxTgSsw%3D%3D&gaa_ts=689b747c

[3] https://fortune.com/2025/08/12/perplexity-google-chrome-browser-bid-antitrust-ai-wars/

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