Perplexity Chrome Acquisition: A Game-Changing $34.5B Offer
In a bold and unexpected move, AI-powered search company Perplexity has announced a $34.5 billion cash offer to acquire Chrome from Google. This unsolicited bid comes amid growing regulatory pressure on Google to divest parts of its business. Perplexity’s proposal includes keeping Chrome’s open-source engine, Chromium, intact and investing $3 billion into its continued development. The company also pledged to maintain Chrome’s current default search engine settings, meaning Google Search would remain in place for users. With Chrome holding a massive 68% global browser market share, this potential acquisition could mark one of the most significant shifts in the tech industry’s competitive landscape.
Why Perplexity Wants Chrome
Perplexity’s interest in Chrome isn’t just about owning the world’s most popular web browser — it’s about influence in the online search market. By securing control of Chrome, Perplexity could gain strategic leverage while still presenting itself as a user-first company. The promise to keep Chromium open-source reassures developers and businesses that rely on the platform’s transparency and flexibility. Additionally, by pledging not to switch the default search engine, Perplexity appears to be positioning itself as a non-disruptive alternative to Google’s control, potentially winning favor with regulators. This approach may also help the company gain public trust, a crucial factor if it aims to expand its user base beyond AI search into broader internet services.
Regulatory Pressures Shaping the Deal
The timing of Perplexity’s bid is no coincidence. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Justice proposed that Google be forced to sell Chrome after a court found it had illegally maintained a monopoly in online search. Google has vowed to fight the ruling, but if the court orders a sale, several tech giants could enter the bidding war. Perplexity’s move signals that it wants to be at the front of the line, ready to capitalize on a rare opportunity to acquire a market-leading product. With Chrome’s massive user base and importance to the web ecosystem, any sale would have far-reaching implications for competition, innovation, and the future of the internet.
What This Means for the Browser and Search Market
If Perplexity’s acquisition were to succeed, the browser market could see a wave of new dynamics. A Perplexity-owned Chrome could lead to more openness in browser development, stronger privacy protections, and perhaps more innovation in AI-assisted browsing. However, questions remain about how Perplexity would monetize the platform while keeping user experience unchanged. For now, the offer adds pressure on Google at a time when it’s already facing multiple legal challenges, including another federal case over alleged monopolization in the adtech market. As court decisions loom, the industry is watching closely — because the sale of Chrome, should it happen, could redefine who holds power in online search and web access.
