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Perplexity Seeks Chrome Takeover as US Weighs Breaking Up Google

By  |  August 12, 2025

AI startup Perplexity has made a surprising $34.5 billion offer to acquire Google’s Chrome browser, a move that could position the company to capitalize on potential U.S. antitrust measures requiring the tech giant to sell the popular web tool, according to Bloomberg.

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    The unsolicited proposal, sent to Alphabet Inc.’s Google on Tuesday morning, would be financed with backing from external investors, a Perplexity spokesperson confirmed. The bid comes shortly after rival AI firm OpenAI also signaled interest in Chrome, which, along with the open-source Chromium project, dominates how people access the internet on desktop computers.

    The offer follows last year’s ruling in which a federal judge determined Google holds an illegal monopoly in online search. Per Bloomberg, U.S. regulators have floated remedies that could include forcing the company to divest Chrome and license search data to rivals. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta is expected to announce a final decision on these remedies in the near future.

    San Francisco-based Perplexity, known for its AI-powered search tools, was valued at $18 billion earlier this year after securing $100 million in new funding, Bloomberg reported. The sizeable bid for Chrome has prompted questions about the company’s financial capacity to complete such a deal. Perplexity’s Chief Business Officer Dmitry Shevelenko stated that “multiple large investment funds have agreed to finance the transaction in full,” though the firm declined to disclose the names of the backers.

    Related: Apple Explores Potential Acquisition of AI Startup Perplexity AI

    Perplexity has a track record of attempting high-profile acquisitions ahead of regulatory shakeups. Earlier this year, the company proposed a deal to merge with the U.S. operations of TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance Ltd., as the social media platform faced a possible ban in the United States.

    Interest in the browser market has intensified as AI companies race to develop digital agents capable of completing tasks like online shopping autonomously. Perplexity is also working on its own browser, Comet, which will integrate an AI assistant. The company emphasized that it would not make “stealth modifications” to Chrome if the acquisition goes through, highlighting a commitment to “continuity and choice for users.”

    Should the deal be approved, Perplexity said it would invest $3 billion over two years into Chrome and Chromium, while seeking to hire a substantial portion of Chrome’s workforce.

    Source: Bloomberg