LUCKNOW – Artificial intelligence startup Perplexity has made a surprise offer to acquire Google’s Chrome browser for a staggering $34.5 billion, a move that comes as Google faces intense scrutiny from antitrust regulators. The three-year-old company, which recently secured a valuation of $18 billion, has sent a letter of intent to Google proposing a deal that would double its own valuation.
The offer surfaces as the tech giant awaits a crucial ruling from US District Court Judge Amit Mehta. Judge Mehta is expected to deliver his decision by the end of the month on the potential remedies following his prior ruling that Google holds an illegal monopoly in online search. Government lawyers have pushed for a significant remedy, including the sale of Chrome, arguing that its integration with Google’s search and AI offerings further entrenches the company’s market dominance.
Chrome has been the world’s leading web browser for over a decade. According to data from StatCounter, it held a commanding 67.9% global market share in July 2025. This market position makes it a critical gateway to the internet and a core component of Google’s business.
Perplexity’s bid is not the company’s first foray into high-stakes acquisitions. Earlier this year, the company made a similar offer to acquire the U.S. operations of TikTok, a move that also faced significant regulatory obstacles.
While Google has not expressed any interest in selling the browser, its legal team has warned against a forced divestiture. Google’s lawyer, John Schmidtlein, has stated that removing Chrome from the company’s portfolio could harm smaller competitors and have far-reaching consequences worldwide, as over 80% of Chrome’s users are located outside the U.S.
