Chrome for sale: Perplexity AI makes $34.5B bid for Google Chrome

In an unexpected and ambitious move, Perplexity AI has put forward a $34.5 billion bid to acquire Google’s Chrome web browser. The offer, revealed in a letter of intent on Tuesday, comes amid mounting antitrust pressure on Google, which could face a court-ordered divestiture of Chrome. The proposed price is almost twice Perplexity’s own estimated $18 billion valuation from its latest funding round.

Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas described the offer as an opportunity to meet antitrust requirements “in the highest public interest,” stating that the company could operate Chrome as an independent platform committed to “continuity, openness, and consumer protection.” The bid arrives as U.S. District Court Judge Amit Mehta prepares to decide on remedies following last year’s ruling that found Google unlawfully maintained a monopoly in online search.

Antitrust Pressures and Strategic Implications

The U.S. government has argued that Google should be forced to divest Chrome, warning that advancements in artificial intelligence could make its dominance as the primary internet gateway even more entrenched. Such a divestment, they say, could open the door for more competition in the browser market.

Google, however, has urged the court to reject the idea of separating Chrome from its operations. While a ruling from Judge Mehta is expected by month’s end, Google has yet to comment publicly on Perplexity’s offer. Industry analysts note that the timing of the bid—just weeks before the court’s decision—may not be coincidental.

Market Reaction and Speculation

Analysts at Baird Equity Research were quick to dismiss the proposal, calling it an undervaluation of Chrome’s true worth and advising investors not to treat it as a serious acquisition attempt. One theory, they suggested, is that Perplexity may be attempting to either encourage competing bids or influence the court’s upcoming decision.

Baird also pointed out that Perplexity already operates its own browser, meaning a Google-free Chrome could present a major competitive advantage. Whether the bid is a genuine acquisition attempt or a strategic maneuver, it underscores the high stakes surrounding the future of Chrome and Google’s position in a rapidly evolving internet ecosystem shaped by AI innovation and regulatory scrutiny.