Perplexity, an AI startup, has made a surprising $34.5 billion bid to acquire Google’s Chrome browser, a move that could substantially reshape the browser and search engine landscapes. This unsolicited offer, confirmed by Perplexity and reported by multiple credible sources including The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg, arrives at a moment when Google’s dominance in the search market is under intense scrutiny by U.S. antitrust authorities.
The bid was formally submitted to Alphabet Inc.’s Google on Tuesday morning, signaling Perplexity’s strategic intent to position itself as a major player in web browsing technology. Perplexity recently launched its own AI-native search browser, Comet, aiming to compete directly with Chrome.
Perplexity’s $34.5 billion offer notably exceeds its own valuation of around $18 billion, demonstrating a bold gamble for rapid growth. In a statement to The Wall Street Journal, Perplexity emphasized that the bid was “designed to satisfy an antitrust remedy in highest public interest by placing Chrome with a capable, independent operator,” highlighting the regulatory context driving the acquisition attempt.
This move takes place against the backdrop of a long-running Department of Justice (DOJ) antitrust lawsuit against Google that started in 2020. The DOJ alleges Google unlawfully secured its dominance in search by arranging default search deals with device makers and browser developers to exclude rivals. In 2024, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google had monopolized the search market through these anti-competitive practices.
One of the most significant remedies under consideration is whether Google should be forced to divest Chrome, which powers over 60% of global browser usage and comes pre-installed on billions of devices worldwide. The divestiture would break Google’s tight integration of its search engine with the dominant browser, potentially opening the market to fresh competition.
Perplexity’s offer also follows interest from other AI sector competitors, including OpenAI, who have expressed curiosity about acquiring Chrome or parts of its related Chromium technology. The browser is a critical access point for the web, significantly influencing how users encounter and interact with online search and content.
Google and Perplexity have yet to provide detailed public comments beyond their initial statements. The bid comes as a high-stakes bet that regulatory changes and growing AI innovation could allow new entrants to challenge Google’s entrenched position in browser and search markets.
Analysts note that Perplexity’s attempt to acquire Chrome illustrates the convergence of AI technology advancement with longstanding antitrust battles in tech. If successful, the deal could accelerate shifts in browser design driven by AI integration and change how billions access the internet.
For now, the final outcome depends on ongoing legal rulings and whether Google’s leadership opts to entertain or reject the substantial purchase proposal from a fast-rising AI competitor.
Reported on August 12, 2025, by multiple sources including The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and Fortune.