A Bid No One Saw Coming
The tech world woke up to a shocker: Perplexity AI, a relatively young player in the artificial intelligence space, has publicly offered $34.5 billion to buy Google Chrome.
Chrome isn’t just another browser; it’s the gateway billions of people use to connect to the web every day. The idea of a startup owning it feels almost like a David-versus-Goliath story in tech.
What is Perplexity AI ?
For those hearing the name for the first time, Perplexity AI is a modern “answer engine.”
Instead of giving you a page of blue links like traditional search engines, it responds with direct, conversational answers — and it always shows where the information came from.
for eg : if you search how to built a react website it will get you important links including youtube videos.
Some key points about Perplexity:
- Founded in 2022 by a team led by Aravind Srinivas ( CEO of Perplexity AI )
- Combines AI language models with real-time internet search.
- Focuses on accuracy and transparency by citing sources.
- Offers a free plan for casual use and a Pro plan with advanced features like file uploads, deeper research tools, and AI model selection.
Link to get paid plan : https://www.perplexity.ai/pro/payment?plan=monthly&origin=sidebarProUpsell
In short, it’s like having a research assistant who finds answers, explains them clearly, and shows you proof.
How to Use Perplexity AI ?
If you’ve never tried it, getting started with Perplexity is straightforward:
- Go to perplexity.ai or download the app from your device’s app store.
- Type a question just like you would ask a person — for example, “Explain the Indian budget 2025 in simple terms.”
- Get an instant, well-structured answer with links to original sources.
- Explore follow-up questions right from the same page.
- Use Pro features (optional) for advanced research, like uploading PDFs or switching AI models for deeper analysis.
If you are an Airtel user then you can use it free of cost : read this article :
It’s free for basic use, and there’s no sign-up needed unless you want the premium features.
Could This Change the AI vs. Search Engine Game?
The timing of Perplexity’s move is interesting. AI assistants like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Perplexity are challenging the traditional search model. People are starting to prefer quick, direct answers over scrolling through dozens of links.
If Perplexity somehow gained control of Chrome, it could:
- Change default search behavior toward AI answers.
- Integrate voice and chat interfaces more deeply into browsing.
- Offer a different revenue model compared to ad-driven search.
Why Perplexity AI make this Offer to Google Crome ?
The roots of Perplexity’s bold move go back to a major legal battle in the US. Last year, the Department of Justice (DOJ) won an antitrust case against Google and suggested that the company should be forced to sell Chrome. The DOJ described Chrome as “a crucial gateway to search” that helps maintain Google’s dominance in the market.
In its proposed remedy, the DOJ stated that Google should divest Chrome entirely. Google pushed back strongly, calling the idea “extreme and overreaching” and accusing the agency of pursuing “a radical, interventionist agenda.”
Adding to the pressure, Google has also been accused of paying Apple over $15 billion a year to keep Google as the default search engine on Apple devices.
