Why Perplexity Wants to Buy Google Chrome ?

Perplexity has reportedly floated a $34.5 billion bid for Google Chrome—a bold move that would hand the AI-search startup instant distribution at global scale. Chrome is the world’s most-used browser, and owning it would give Perplexity a direct gateway to users and the web’s daily search traffic—placing it in direct competition with Google’s core business.

In a generative-AI arms race—where Big Tech and startups alike pour tens of billions into talent and infrastructure—browser ownership is the ultimate distribution hack. It lowers customer acquisition costs, provides product telemetry to improve answer quality, and gives Perplexity a powerful surface to showcase AI results. Perplexity already ships its own AI browser, Comet, underscoring its conviction that the browser is the next UI for search.

According to Bloomberg, Perplexity aims to finance the deal with outside investors, with company leaders claiming multiple large funds are prepared to underwrite the offer—despite the price exceeding Perplexity’s most recent $18 billion valuation. The startup raised $100 million in July.

Secondly, Google’s search business is under antitrust scrutiny, including reports that it pays Apple over $15 billion annually to remain the default search on iPhones. Following recent proceedings, reports have suggested potential remedies that could include a Chrome divestiture, along with limits on exclusive default-search deals. That context explains why Chrome has emerged as a focal asset.

Perplexity has indicated it would not change user defaults if it owned Chrome—keeping Google as the default search engine—likely to reduce regulatory friction and reassure users.

However, it remains unclear whether Alphabet would sell Chrome at all. Any transaction would face intensive antitrust review in the U.S. and abroad, plus complex questions about data, privacy, and interoperability.

Sources said, earlier this year, Perplexity even explored a tie-up with TikTok—another sign that the company is chasing distribution at internet scale. Whether or not a Chrome deal materializes, the message is clear: the battle for AI search won’t be won by models alone, but by who controls the front door to the web. 

Also Read: Perplexity’s Leap: $20B Valuation and $34.5B Chrome Bid