Perplexity makes $34.5 billion bid to buy Google’s Chrome browser
It's a bold move on Perplexity's part, but Google is unlikely to sell Chrome, so it’s more of a PR stunt than a likely deal.
AI search startup Perplexity today made an unsolicited $34.5 billion all-cash offer to buy Google’s Chrome browser, nearly double its own $18 billion valuation.
- Perplexity told The Wall Street Journal that multiple large venture capital funds have agreed to finance the deal.
- Google hasn’t indicated any willingness to sell Chrome.
Driving the news. Google’s parent company, Alphabet, is appealing a 2024 court ruling that it illegally monopolized search.
- The bid comes as U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta considers whether to force Google to divest Chrome to restore competition in search.
- Chrome has about 3.5 billion users and more than 60% global browser market share.
- Perplexity said it would keep Chromium open source, invest $3 billion over two years, and maintain Google as Chrome’s default search engine (though users could change it).
Why we care. Chrome is one of the most powerful gateways to search. Chrome gives Google a massive data advantage, which helps shape everything from ad targeting to SERP features. A new owner could upend default search deals, disrupt traffic patterns, and rewrite the rules for how audiences are tracked, targeted, and monetized.
Yes, but. Analysts say the sale is unlikely. In the meantime, Perplexity will grab some attention and make some headlines.
The big picture. Perplexity recently launched a new browser, Comet. Perplexity believes browsers are strategic control points for the next era of agentic search and online advertising.
Search Engine Land is owned by Semrush. We remain committed to providing high-quality coverage of marketing topics. Unless otherwise noted, this page’s content was written by either an employee or a paid contractor of Semrush Inc.
About the Author
