AI search engine Perplexity has made a $34.5 billion cash offer to acquire Google’s Chrome browser, pledging not to alter users’ default settings — including the default search engine. The company has also committed to investing $3 billion in the open-source Chromium project.
Perplexity confirmed the offer in a statement, outlining conditions that include keeping Chrome’s core engine, Chromium, open source and continuing investments in its development. The timing of the proposal coincides with a critical moment in Google’s antitrust battle with the U.S. Department of Justice, where a potential divestiture of Chrome has been discussed.
The AI startup also promised to maintain Google as Chrome’s default search engine, rather than replacing it with its own AI-powered alternative.
In April, the CEO of rival search engine DuckDuckGo suggested that Chrome could be worth more than $50 billion. If successful, Perplexity’s bid could present a unique opportunity.
However, the offer far exceeds Perplexity’s own valuation and total funds raised. According to PitchBook estimates, the company has raised approximately $1.5 billion to date, including a $100 million extension round last month that pushed its valuation to $18 billion, as reported by Bloomberg. Founded just three years ago, and backed by investors such as Nvidia and SoftBank, Perplexity has quickly emerged as a success story in the AI sector.
Source: Bloomberght/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök