Perplexity Makes an Audacious Play for Chrome
In a move that’s equal parts daring and dramatic, San Francisco-based AI startup Perplexity has launched an unsolicited, all-cash bid of $34.5 billion to acquire Google’s Chrome browser. That figure stands in sharp contrast to the company’s own valuation of around $18 billion.ReutersThe Times of IndiaFinancial TimesIndiatimes
The timing of the bid is particularly noteworthy. It arrives as U.S. regulators mull over whether to force Google to divest Chrome as a remedy for its alleged monopolistic grip on search. A federal judge, Amit Mehta, could issue a ruling on possible remedies this month.ReutersFinancial Times
Perplexity has framed its offer as a constructive solution to antitrust concerns. It pledges to:
- Keep the underlying Chromium code open source.
- Retain Google as the default search engine in Chrome, though users could switch it out.
- Inject $3 billion in development into Chrome over the next two years.
- Back the deal with support from “several major investment funds.”ReutersThe Times of IndiaSearch Engine LandFinancial TimesLifewire
Despite these promises, analysts remain skeptical about whether Google would ever consider selling such a critical asset. As one industry commentator put it, the bid feels more like a publicity stunt timed to amplify Perplexity’s visibility—especially ahead of the anticipated launch of its own AI-powered browser, Comet.Search Engine LandAxiosIndiatimesSpyglass
What Could This Mean — Or What Could It Mean?
The Strategy Behind the Headlines
Perplexity’s many eye-catching moves—from offering to merge with TikTok to now trying to buy Chrome—suggest a pattern: bold bids that spark conversation. One tech columnist quipped that the precision of “$34.5 billion” makes it feel calculated, if tongue-in-cheek.Spyglass
Observers note that in a world where AI-powered tools are reshaping how people look things up, having control over a browser used by over a third of the planet’s internet population is a powerful strategic asset.LifewireReuters
Legal Reality Check
Google is expected to mount a vigorous legal defence—and to date, it has not indicated any willingness to part with Chrome. Its grip over browser distribution and search engine defaults remains central to its business model.ReutersSearch Engine LandFinancial TimesIndiatimes
The Public’s Reaction
Reactions online range from bemusement to outright ridicule. “This is clearly a PR stunt,” one Redditor noted, while others simply asked, “Where did they get that kind of cash?”RedditIndiatimes
Some view the bid as cheeky marketing wizardry—casting Perplexity into the headlines and positioning it as a bold challenger in the AI-browser battleground, even if the offer is never accepted.SpyglassAxiosIndiatimes
My Take
This offer is ultimately a high-profile gambit—a bold splash that raises awareness of Perplexity’s ambitions. Legally, Google holds firm control of Chrome, and relinquishing it would undermine much of its AI and search dominance. So realistically, the takeover remains highly unlikely.
But as a strategic PR play, it’s effective. Perplexity is signaling to regulators, competitors, and users that it’s ready to play in the big leagues. And with Comet on the horizon, the company may be positioning itself as an AI-first browser contender.
Whether this move signals genuine acquisition intent or is simply a provocative marketing push, it undoubtedly catapulted Perplexity into global headlines. And in the fast-moving world of AI, attention can be as powerful as capital.
