First TikTok, Now Google Chrome — Is Perplexity AI Trying To Buy Its Way Into Internet Domination?

Perplexity AI Tables $34.5 Billion Offer To Take Over Google Chrome Amid Antitrust Pressure

AI search start-up Perplexity has made an unexpected move to acquire Google’s Chrome browser for $34.5 billion, The Wall Street Journal confirmed.

The bid arrives as Google faces the possibility of being forced to divest Chrome under U.S. antitrust rulings.

The Department of Justice previously argued that removing Chrome from Google’s control could “stop its dominance” in search and create fairer competition.

Offer Far Exceeds Perplexity’s Own Valuation

Perplexity, valued at around $18 billion as of July, claims to have backing from several major venture-capital firms, though none have been publicly named.

The proposal, known internally as “Project Solomon,” is a non-binding term sheet sent directly to Google.

Despite the substantial price tag, industry investors have questioned whether it comes close to Chrome’s true worth, with some estimates putting the browser’s value closer to $50 billion.

Commitment To Keep Google As Default Search Engine

In a letter to Google chief executive Sundar Pichai, Perplexity said Chrome would remain powered by its open-source foundation, Chromium, with a $3 billion investment pledged over two years.

The company also promised not to alter user defaults, including keeping Google as the primary search engine, while allowing settings to be changed.

A Perplexity spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal,

“Our bid is designed to satisfy an antitrust remedy in highest public interest by placing Chrome with a capable, independent operator.”

Scepticism Over Chrome’s Availability For Sale

Google has not responded to the bid, and there is no indication it plans to sell Chrome, which holds an estimated 68% share of the global browser market and serves more than three billion users.

One investor described the offer as “a stunt, and nowhere near Chrome’s true value,” suggesting that only a significantly larger bid from a figure like Sam Altman or Elon Musk could be truly competitive.

Tomasz Tunguz of Theory Ventures noted that Chrome’s strategic importance could make it worth “ten times more” than the amount offered.

Ongoing Legal Battles Could Influence Outcome

The bid comes as Google awaits a court ruling in an antitrust case that could order the separation of its search business.

The company has vowed to appeal any forced breakup, calling such measures “wildly overbroad” and harmful to security.

In parallel, the DOJ has proposed additional divestitures in Google’s advertising technology operations in a separate case.

Perplexity’s Recent High-Profile Moves

The Chrome offer follows other bold attempts by Perplexity to expand its influence, including a proposal earlier this year to acquire the U.S. arm of TikTok.

Last month, the company launched its own AI-powered browser, Comet, positioning itself as a direct competitor in the web access space.

Despite scepticism surrounding the Chrome bid, Perplexity maintains that its proposal represents a long-term commitment to “user choice and the open web.”