In a dramatic David-and-Goliath play, Perplexity AI has made an unsolicited $34.5 billion cash offer for Google’s Chrome browser, aiming to control one of the most powerful gateways to online search and billions of users worldwide.

The proposal, announced Tuesday, dwarfs the three-year-old startup’s own $14 billion valuation and comes amid renewed competition over browsers as prime conduits for search traffic and user data. Chrome currently commands over 60% of the global browser market, driving massive traffic to Google Search and its ad-driven revenue model.

Figure 1. $34.5 Billion Threat as AI.

Perplexity, known for its AI-powered search engine and recently launched Comet browser, is positioning itself against tech giants like OpenAI, which is developing its own AI browser. Buying Chrome would instantly give Perplexity access to over 3 billion users and a stronger foothold in the AI search race. Figure 1 represents $34.5 Billion Threat as AI.

The offer follows Perplexity’s high-profile January pitch to merge with TikTok’s U.S. operations to address national security concerns [1]. Led by CEO Aravind Srinivas and backed by investors including Nvidia and SoftBank, Perplexity has raised about $1 billion to date, with unnamed funds pledging to fully finance the Chrome acquisition.

Alphabet has not indicated any interest in selling. Chrome remains central to Google’s AI strategy, including the rollout of AI-generated search summaries called Overviews. However, U.S. regulators—pursuing antitrust action against Google—have floated the possibility of forcing a Chrome divestiture.

reference:

1. https://interestingengineering.com/culture/perplexity-ai-34-5b-bid-google-chrome

Cite this article:

Keerthana S (2025), Google Confronts $34.5 Billion Threat as AI Challenger Perplexity Targets Chrome, AnaTechMaz, pp.764