Artificial intelligence search engine, Perplexity, set to acquire Google's Chrome web browser.
In an unexpected turn of events, Perplexity AI, the developer of the popular AI-powered Comet browser, has made a public unsolicited offer to acquire Google's Chrome browser for a staggering $34.5 billion. This offer, codenamed "Project Solomon," was made in August 2025 and is framed as an asset sale aimed at satisfying potential antitrust remedies related to Google's ongoing legal challenges.
The offer, however, has not been met with enthusiasm by Google. The tech giant has maintained its opposition to divestiture, arguing that such a move would harm its business. The deal, therefore, is considered unlikely by many industry observers given Google’s stance and the scale of the browser market.
Perplexity, however, is optimistic. The company claims to have secured financing support from investors, although some venture funds backing Perplexity have reportedly not been involved in this specific deal. The startup positions the offer as a bid to place Chrome with an independent operator capable of maintaining its continuity and expanding investment, pledging $3 billion over two years for Chrome’s support and promising user choice continuity.
This move also serves as a marketing platform to raise awareness of Perplexity’s own AI-powered Comet browser. The acquisition could give Perplexity AI a competitive edge in the race for AI-powered search, potentially attracting over three billion users currently using Chrome.
The proposed deal is worth $34.5 billion, to be paid entirely in cash. However, no specific fund or entity has been named as the potential financer of the transaction, including for the offers from Perplexity, OpenAI, Yahoo, and Apollo Global Management.
It's important to note that as of late August 2025, no updates indicate progress beyond the offer stage. The judge's decision on possible measures is expected later this month. Google has not yet commented on the possibility of selling Chrome.
The offer from Perplexity AI comes amidst the U.S. Department of Justice's antitrust case against Google, which might force divestiture. Gabriel Weinberg, CEO of competing search engine DuckDuckGo, estimates a minimum of $50 billion for a forced sale of Chrome. Perplexity's offer for Chrome is significantly lower than the minimum estimated by Weinberg.
Perplexity AI is a three-year-old startup currently valued at $14 billion. The company has raised around $1 billion from investors, including U.S. chipmaker Nvidia and Japanese tech conglomerate SoftBank.
As the situation unfolds, it will be interesting to see how Google responds to this unsolicited offer and whether any negotiations ensue. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
[1] TechCrunch. (2025, August). Perplexity AI Officially Makes Unsolicited Offer for Google's Chrome Browser. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/01/perplexity-ai-officially-makes-unsolicited-offer-for-google-chrome-browser/
[2] The Verge. (2025, August). Google Remains Opposed to Selling Chrome Despite Perplexity AI's Offer. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2025/08/01/google-remains-opposed-to-selling-chrome-despite-perplexity-ais-offer
[3] CNET. (2025, August). Perplexity AI's Offer for Chrome Aims to Boost Comet Browser Profile. Retrieved from https://www.cnet.com/2025/08/01/perplexity-ais-offer-for-chrome-aims-to-boost-comet-browser-profile/
[4] Reuters. (2025, August). Google's Chrome Acquisition Proposal Connected to U.S. Department of Justice's Antitrust Case. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/2025/08/01/google-chrome-acquisition-proposal-connected-to-us-department-of-justices-antitrust-case/
- Despite Google's opposition, industry observers have speculated about potential negotiations following Perplexity AI's unsolicited offer for Google's Chrome browser.
- The proposed deal for Google's Chrome browser by Perplexity AI offers a significant opportunity for investing, with promises of continued funding for Chrome's development and potential user choice continuity.
- As the antitrust case against Google progresses, the finance industry is closely watching the potential impact of the deal, especially with estimates suggesting a minimum of $50 billion for a forced sale of Chrome.
- The technology sector and general news are abuzz with discussions regarding the potential acquisition of Google's Chrome browser by Perplexity AI, with some political analysts viewing it as a strategic move that could reshape the business landscape.
