Perplexity’s $34.5 Billion Bid for Google Chrome: A Bold Move or a PR Stunt?

n a jaw-dropping move, AI startup Perplexity has offered $34.5 billion in cash to acquire Google Chrome, the world’s most popular web browser.

This unsolicited bid, confirmed by Perplexity to multiple outlets, comes as Google faces mounting antitrust pressure from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which has proposed forcing Google to divest Chrome to curb its search monopoly.

But does Perplexity, a company less than three years old, have the financial muscle to pull off such a massive deal? And what’s driving this audacious play? Let’s break it down.

Perplexity’s Track Record of Big Bets

Perplexity is no stranger to bold acquisition attempts. Earlier this year, the San Francisco-based startup made headlines with a $50 billion proposal to merge with TikTok’s U.S. operations, aiming to address concerns about the platform’s Chinese ownership by ByteDance.

That deal didn’t materialize, but it showcased Perplexity’s ambition to compete with tech giants. Now, the company, led by former Google intern Aravind Srinivas, is setting its sights on Chrome—a cornerstone of Google’s ecosystem with over 3 billion users and a 60% share of the global browser market.

Perplexity’s Net Worth: Does the Math Add Up?

Here’s where things get interesting. Perplexity’s $34.5 billion all-cash offer for Chrome is nearly double its own valuation.

According to Bloomberg, Perplexity was valued at $18 billion in July 2025 after a $100 million funding round, an extension of an earlier round that pegged its worth at $14 billion.

To date, the company has raised around $1.5 billion from heavyweights like Nvidia, SoftBank, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

So, how does a company worth $18 billion plan to cough up $34.5 billion? Perplexity claims multiple venture capital funds have committed to financing the deal in full, though it hasn’t named them.

Skeptics on X have questioned the feasibility, with some calling it a publicity stunt. One user pointed out, “Perplexity is worth $18 billion. How is it getting $34.5 billion for Chrome? The math is not mathing.”

Another argued that Google would never sell a core asset like Chrome, valued by some analysts at upwards of $50 billion—or even $300 billion, according to one estimate.

Why Chrome? And Why Now?

Chrome isn’t just a browser; it’s a gateway to Google’s search dominance, collecting user data that fuels its advertising empire and AI development.

With AI-driven search reshaping how we access information, browsers are becoming critical battlegrounds.

Perplexity, which already launched its own AI-powered browser, Comet, in July 2025, sees Chrome’s massive user base as a way to supercharge its challenge against Google and rivals like OpenAI.

The timing of the bid is strategic. A U.S. federal judge ruled in 2024 that Google illegally maintained a search monopoly, and the DOJ has since pushed for remedies, including a potential Chrome divestiture.

A decision from Judge Amit Mehta is expected soon, possibly by the end of August 2025. Perplexity’s offer positions it as a ready buyer if the court forces Google’s hand.

Perplexity’s proposal includes promises to:

• Keep Chromium, Chrome’s open-source codebase, freely available.
• Maintain Google as the default search engine while allowing user choice.
• Invest $3 billion in Chrome and Chromium over two years.
• Retain much of Chrome’s workforce and avoid “stealth” modifications.

These terms aim to address antitrust concerns and reassure users, but they also raise questions about Perplexity’s ability to manage such a massive asset.

Is This a Serious Offer or a Clever Ploy?

Google has shown no interest in selling Chrome, calling the DOJ’s divestiture proposal “wildly overbroad” and warning it could harm innovation and user security.

Some analysts, like those at Baird Equity Research, argue Perplexity’s bid “should not be taken seriously,” suggesting it’s a tactic to spark competing bids or influence the antitrust case. Others, like Wedbush analyst Dan Ives, see it as a “smart and opportunistic move” in a high-stakes game of tech poker.

Posts on X reflect mixed sentiment. Some view it as a bold challenge to Google’s dominance, while others dismiss it as a stunt, noting that Chrome’s strategic value to Google far exceeds Perplexity’s offer. One user quipped, “Selling Chrome would signal weakness. Google won’t do it.”

The Bigger Picture

Perplexity’s bid highlights the intensifying race to control the gateways to the internet—especially as AI transforms how we search and interact online.

Owning Chrome would give Perplexity unprecedented reach, but it’s hard to ignore the financial and logistical hurdles. Even if the deal is a long shot, it’s a signal that scrappy startups are willing to take on Big Tech in ways that could reshape the industry.

What do you think? Is Perplexity’s offer a game-changer or just noise in the AI arms race? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds.