Perplexity’s Bold $34.5 Billion Bid to Take Over Google Chrome

 In one of the boldest moves the tech industry has seen this year, AI-powered search engine Perplexity has made an eye-popping offer to acquire Google Chrome for a staggering $34.5 billion in cash. The unsolicited bid, which Perplexity confirmed after reports surfaced from Reuters and TechCrunch, immediately raised eyebrows across Silicon Valley—not just because of the amount, but also because of the broader implications it carries for the future of the web.

What makes this deal particularly striking is Perplexity’s pledge to keep Chromium, Chrome’s open-source engine, alive and well. The company has promised to pour an additional $3 billion into the project, ensuring it remains a cornerstone of the modern internet. In a surprising twist, Perplexity also committed not to tamper with user settings, meaning Google would remain the default search engine inside Chrome, even if ownership changed hands. This clause alone signals that Perplexity’s play is less about quick dominance and more about gaining a foothold in the global browser market without alienating users.

The timing of this bid is no coincidence. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) suggested that Google could be forced to part ways with Chrome after courts found the tech giant guilty of using unfair tactics to preserve its monopoly in online search. While Google has strongly opposed the ruling and vowed to fight the decision, industry insiders believe a final judgment on potential remedies could come very soon. If Chrome is indeed put on the market, it could spark a bidding war among global players.

And the interest is already there. Back in April, the CEO of DuckDuckGo testified that Chrome might be worth “upwards of $50 billion,” hinting that Perplexity’s $34.5 billion offer could actually be seen as a bargain. Considering Chrome controls about 68% of the browser market worldwide, owning it would instantly make Perplexity a powerhouse in the search and browsing space.

There’s just one catch: Perplexity’s war chest doesn’t come close to the amount it’s offering. The startup has raised only about $1.5 billion in funding so far, with its most recent extension round bringing in $100 million at an $18 billion valuation. By comparison, its Chrome bid is more than twenty times the total capital it has raised, making it a true moonshot move.

This isn’t the first time Perplexity has tried to expand aggressively. Just last month, the company rolled out its own browser called Comet, positioning it as a companion to its AI-driven search platform. Around the same time, reports surfaced that Perplexity had even floated the idea of merging with TikTok, further showing that the company isn’t afraid to swing big in pursuit of growth.

Whether this ambitious offer is taken seriously or brushed off as unrealistic remains to be seen. Google has not yet commented on the bid, but what’s certain is that the battle over Chrome’s future is heating up, and the outcome could reshape the balance of power in both the browser and search engine markets.

Souce: techcrunch.com

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