In a move that has surprised the tech world, artificial intelligence (AI) startup Perplexity has made an unexpected $34.5 billion (£25.6 billion) takeover bid for Google Chrome, the world’s most popular web browser with over three billion active users.
The offer, detailed in a formal letter to Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google’s parent company Alphabet, proposes shifting Chrome to an independent operator “committed to user safety and the open web.” Perplexity claims that its vision would preserve Chrome’s global reach while improving transparency and user choice.
However, the proposal has drawn mixed reactions from investors, analysts, and the wider tech community. While some see it as a bold strategic move in the AI race, others dismiss it as an unrealistic publicity stunt far below Chrome’s actual value.
Perplexity’s Pitch: “An Important Commitment to the Open Web”
A Perplexity spokesperson told the that the bid represents “an important commitment to the open web, user choice, and continuity for everyone who has chosen Chrome.”
Under the proposed deal, Google Search would remain the default search engine on Chrome, but users would retain the option to change their settings freely. The company also pledged to maintain and support Chromium, the widely used open-source platform powering Chrome and other browsers like Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Brave.
Perplexity positioned the move as a way to ensure Chrome operates independently, free from potential conflicts of interest in Google’s advertising and search dominance.
Why Chrome?
Chrome is more than just a browser. Since its launch in 2008, it has grown to dominate over 60% of the global browser market, becoming an essential gateway to the internet for billions. Its integration with Google’s search, advertising, and productivity tools makes it a key pillar of Alphabet’s ecosystem.
Analysts estimate Chrome’s strategic value to be many times higher than Perplexity’s $34.5 billion offer. Technology investor Heath Ahrens went as far as saying Chrome could be worth “ten times more” than the bid, given its unmatched user base, data, and integration with the web’s infrastructure.
Skepticism in the Tech Industry
Despite Perplexity’s optimistic tone, industry experts remain doubtful.
“The offer isn’t serious,” Heath Ahrens told reporters. “If someone like Sam Altman or Elon Musk tripled it, they could genuinely secure dominance for their AI. But $34.5 billion is nowhere near Chrome’s real market value.”
Others point out that Google has made no indication it intends to sell Chrome, and given its role in Google’s advertising revenue model, such a sale would be highly unlikely.
The Antitrust Backdrop
The timing of Perplexity’s bid is notable. Google is currently facing two major antitrust lawsuits in the United States. Regulators have accused the tech giant of using its dominance in search and advertising to stifle competition.
A US federal judge is expected to deliver a ruling later this month that could force Google to break up parts of its search business. While the possibility of spinning off Chrome has been floated in regulatory discussions, Google has called the idea an “unprecedented proposal” that would harm both consumers and web security.
If the ruling goes against Google, it could trigger a massive restructuring of the company—potentially making offers like Perplexity’s more relevant.
Perplexity’s Rapid Rise in the AI Space
Founded in 2022, Perplexity is one of the fastest-growing players in the generative AI market, competing with giants like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s own Gemini. The startup’s AI tools have gained traction for their natural language-powered search and summarization capabilities.
Last month, Perplexity unveiled Comet, an AI-powered web browser designed to integrate conversational AI directly into browsing experiences. Some analysts see the Chrome bid as part of a larger strategy to leapfrog into the mainstream browser market overnight.
Perplexity has also shown an appetite for ambitious acquisitions. Earlier this year, it made headlines by expressing interest in buying the US operations of TikTok, which faces a September deadline to divest from its Chinese owner or face a nationwide ban.
Funding Questions and Valuation Concerns
One major question surrounding Perplexity’s Chrome bid is how it plans to finance such a massive deal.
In July, Perplexity’s valuation was estimated at $18 billion, meaning the Chrome offer is almost double the company’s own market worth. Without substantial backing from investors or strategic partners, experts say the acquisition would be nearly impossible to execute.
Perplexity declined to comment on funding sources for the deal, but some speculate it could be seeking partnerships with deep-pocketed tech moguls or institutional investors.
Could This Be a Strategic Publicity Move?
Given the improbability of Alphabet selling Chrome, many believe Perplexity’s bid is less about making the purchase and more about making a statement.
“This is a branding move,” said one tech analyst. “By putting itself in the same sentence as Google Chrome, Perplexity positions itself as a serious player in the AI and browser wars. Even if the bid fails, it wins in publicity.”
The buzz generated by the announcement has already propelled Perplexity into headlines worldwide—exactly the kind of exposure a young AI company craves in a competitive market.
Google’s Response
Google has yet to issue a formal public statement on the offer. However, past comments from company executives suggest Chrome is seen as an inseparable part of Google’s ecosystem. Selling it would not only be strategically risky but could also weaken the company’s dominance in both search and advertising.
A Google spokesperson in previous antitrust hearings emphasized that Chrome plays a crucial role in maintaining security, performance, and innovation standards on the web, hinting that giving up control would be against the company’s core mission.
What Happens Next?
While the bid is unlikely to be accepted, the move could ignite broader discussions about browser competition, user privacy, and the role of AI in shaping the future of the web.
If nothing else, it shines a spotlight on growing calls to reduce Google’s control over key internet infrastructure—and highlights how AI startups like Perplexity are willing to challenge tech giants head-on.
Key Takeaways
- Perplexity has offered $34.5 billion to acquire Google Chrome, citing a commitment to the open web and user choice.
- Many analysts see the bid as unrealistic and far below Chrome’s true market value.
- Google faces ongoing antitrust challenges that could reshape its business, though selling Chrome remains highly improbable.
- The move boosts Perplexity’s visibility in the AI and browser markets, regardless of the outcome.