Perplexity Offers $34.5 Billion for Google Chrome Amid Antitrust Scrutiny

In a bold move to disrupt Google’s web search dominance, AI startup Perplexity has submitted an unsolicited $34.5 billion bid to acquire Google’s Chrome browser, according to multiple reports from Variety, The Wall Street Journal, and The Hindu BusinessLine [1][2][3]. The offer, nearly double Perplexity’s $18 billion valuation, is fully backed by major venture capital investors and arrives at a critical juncture in a high-stakes antitrust case against Google. The U.S. Department of Justice has been challenging Google’s monopoly in web search since 2020, with a federal judge now weighing whether to mandate the company’s divestiture of key assets.

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta is set to rule this month on potential remedies, including whether Google must stop exclusive arrangements that maintain its position as the default search engine on many devices. Perplexity has framed its offer as a constructive antitrust solution, claiming it would place Chrome under a “capable, independent operator” in the public interest [4]. The bid aligns with the ongoing judicial scrutiny into Google’s market power and could serve as a viable alternative to other structural remedies.

The enterprise value of Chrome is estimated between $20 billion and $50 billion, with Perplexity’s offer at the higher end. The company has committed to keeping Google as the default search engine in Chrome while allowing users to switch, and to continue supporting Chromium, the open-source framework behind Chrome and other browsers [5]. This strategy suggests a careful approach to maintaining user experience while shifting control to an independent entity.

The strategic timing of the offer is notable. Perplexity, founded in 2022, recently launched a browser called Comet to a limited user base. The company also faces its own legal challenges, including lawsuits from subsidiaries of News Corp. Despite these hurdles, it has secured full funding for the proposed acquisition [6].

Google, however, has shown no interest in selling Chrome. In prior testimony, CEO Sundar Pichai stated that a forced sale or data-sharing requirement would harm the company’s operations and innovation. Chrome currently commands over 60% of the global browser market and serves more than 3.5 billion users worldwide [7]. The company is advocating for less disruptive remedies and has already begun preparing an appeal against the antitrust ruling.

The antitrust case has the potential to reshape the digital landscape. The DOJ seeks structural changes to Google’s business model, while Perplexity’s bid underscores the growing role of AI startups in challenging entrenched tech giants. Perplexity, with its AI-driven search capabilities, is positioning itself as a potential successor to Google’s dominance, particularly as AI chatbots begin to shift user behavior away from traditional search engines [9].

While analysts have not provided forecasts on the likelihood of the sale, Judge Mehta has suggested that a forced sale might be “a little cleaner and a little bit more elegant” than other remedies [8]. However, no definitive stance has been taken, and Google’s appeal process is already in motion. The outcome could set a significant precedent in the ongoing battle to curb monopolistic practices in the tech industry.

Sources:

[1] Variety. (2025). Google Gets $34.5 Billion Offer for Chrome Browser From ... https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/google-34-5-billion-bid-chrome-browser-ai-perplexity-1236487442/

[2] The Wall Street Journal. (2025). Perplexity Makes Longshot $34.5 Billion Offer for Chrome https://www.wsj.com/tech/perplexity-ai-google-chrome-offer-5ddb7a22?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=ASWzDAg-SsBnRVFGJQVJmsq0zFcYmz-RQ5tqInnf1yvUEwvClS3je373YlbW&gaa_sig=LnaY74OQLSIb7MOcOWfnf2d3KbADUF5A1HlkVw_OFDZVCKs0S3OzfPsRJJQW1zfTRyIgFYh4-UfHZKtaOhqWrQ%3D%3D&gaa_ts=689b756c

[3] The Hindu BusinessLine. (2025). Perplexity AI makes $34.5 bn bid for Google Chrome amid ... https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/perplexity-ai-makes-345-bn-unsolicited-bid-for-googles-chrome-browser/article69925591.ece

[4] MarketScreener. (2025). Alphabet's Google Gets $34.5 Billion Purchase Offer From ... https://www.marketscreener.com/news/alphabet-s-google-gets-34-5-billion-purchase-offer-from-perplexity-for-chrome-browser-amid-antitrus-ce7c51dadd89f021

[5] Mitrade. (2025). Perplexity offers $34.5 billion to buy Google Chrome amid ... https://www.mitrade.com/insights/news/live-news/article-3-1033404-20250813

[9] AInvest. (2025). The Strategic Implications of Perplexity AI's $34.5 Billion ... https://www.ainvest.com/news/strategic-implications-perplexity-ai-34-5-billion-chrome-bid-ai-search-landscape-2508/