Perplexity’s Bid for Chrome: A Strategic Play on Google’s Antitrust Woes

AI startup Perplexity has made a striking $34.5 billion offer to acquire Google’s Chrome browser. This move is a direct response to the potential for a forced sale of the browser as a remedy in Google’s ongoing U.S. antitrust lawsuit. A federal judge has already ruled that Google holds an illegal monopoly on internet search, and a decision on remedies is expected soon.
The unsolicited bid places Perplexity in a competitive race with rival startup OpenAI, which has also expressed interest in Chrome. Despite its own $18 billion valuation, Perplexity has stated that it has secured full financing for the acquisition from “multiple large investment funds,” a detail that addresses the skepticism about its financial capacity.
To address user and regulatory concerns, Perplexity has committed to a “commitment to continuity,” promising no “stealth modifications” to Chrome. The offer is also structured to not include any equity in Perplexity, a move designed to alleviate potential antitrust issues related to the deal itself. Google has not yet responded to the bid.
This isn’t the first time Perplexity has attempted to acquire a major internet property facing regulatory pressure, as it previously made an offer to merge with TikTok’s U.S. operations. For AI companies, web browsers are increasingly seen as a vital platform for deploying AI agents. If the deal is successful, Perplexity has pledged to invest $3 billion over two years and to retain a significant portion of Chrome’s talent.