Perplexity AI Shakes Tech World with $34.5 Billion All-Cash Bid for Google Chrome

San Francisco, August 13, 2025 – In a move that has shocked Silicon Valley and ignited global tech discussions, Perplexity AI, the fast-rising AI-powered search engine startup valued at $18 billion, has made an unsolicited $34.5 billion all-cash offer to acquire Google Chrome, the world’s most popular internet browser.

The offer comes as Google faces mounting antitrust pressure in the United States, with regulators exploring the possibility of forcing Alphabet Inc. to divest Chrome following a recent ruling that it illegally monopolized the search market.

Why This Matters

With over 3 billion active users and 68% of the global browser market share, Chrome is a crown jewel in Google’s ecosystem. It serves as the default gateway to the internet for billions, seamlessly tied to Google Search, YouTube, Gmail, and Google’s ad business.

If sold, this would represent one of the largest tech acquisitions in history, eclipsing deals like Microsoft’s $26.2 billion LinkedIn purchase and Salesforce’s $27.7 billion Slack acquisition.

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Perplexity AI’s Vision for Chrome

Founded in 2022 by Aravind Srinivas, Perplexity AI has quickly positioned itself as a challenger to Google Search. Known for real-time answers, source transparency, and AI-driven browsing tools, Perplexity is pitching its acquisition plan as a way to keep Chrome open, independent, and user-centric.

In its official six-page proposal to Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, Perplexity outlined commitments:

• Keep Chromium Open-Source: Chromium, the backbone of Chrome, will remain freely available to developers worldwide.

• Preserve User Choice: Default search engines will remain customizable, without hidden manipulations.

• $3 Billion Performance Boost: Invest over 24 months into speed, security, and stability upgrades.

• Long-Term Service Commitment: Guarantee uninterrupted Chrome support for at least 100 months post-sale.

• Retain Chrome Talent: Implement lucrative retention packages for key engineers and designers.

Perplexity claims it has secured full financial backing from major venture capital firms, making its $34.5 billion bid entirely cash-based.

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The Antitrust Context

This high-profile bid comes weeks after U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google’s dominance in search is anti-competitive, prompting the Department of Justice (DOJ) to consider browser divestiture as a possible remedy.

Legal experts warn that any forced sale would trigger years of appeals, potentially reaching the U.S. Supreme Court. In the meantime, tech giants and AI startups alike are circling, with OpenAI and Yahoo reportedly ready to compete if Chrome hits the market.

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Perplexity’s Rise in the AI Search Race

Perplexity’s growth has been explosive:

• Founded: 2022

• Current Valuation: $18 billion (as of July 2025)

• Flagship Products: Perplexity AI search platform, Comet AI browser

• Funding: Backed by top Silicon Valley investors and major institutional funds

In early 2025, Perplexity launched Comet, an AI-native browser with integrated search, note-taking, and privacy controls—designed to chip away at Chrome’s market share. Comet’s premium features are now seen as a testbed for what Perplexity might do with Chrome itself.

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Industry Reaction

While Perplexity’s bid is seen as ambitious and unlikely to succeed immediately, it’s already making waves:

• Investors see it as a strategic publicity move to position Perplexity as Chrome’s natural successor.

• Competitors fear an AI-powered Chrome could disrupt the ad-driven web ecosystem.

• Regulators are intrigued by the prospect of a smaller, AI-focused company running a browser of Chrome’s scale.

Google, for its part, has not indicated any willingness to sell, warning that a forced Chrome divestiture could harm consumers and innovation.

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What’s Next?

Even if Google rejects the offer outright, the move positions Perplexity as a major player in the browser wars and fuels the ongoing debate over Big Tech monopolies.

If the DOJ forces Google’s hand, Chrome’s sale could become the most hotly contested tech auction in history—one where AI companies like Perplexity could go head-to-head with giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple.

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