Equity Perplexity’s bid for Google Chrome could be just the beginning
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Aug 15, 2025 Neil Chilson, a lawyer and computer scientist, leads the AI Policy at the Abundance Institute. He dives into Perplexity's audacious $34.5 billion bid for Google's Chrome, linking it to the ongoing antitrust struggles Google faces. The conversation unpacks the ramifications of this deal on search and ad tech, as well as how generative AI could disrupt industry competition. Neil also highlights the evolving landscape of antitrust laws in relation to AI and the potential for smaller companies to thrive amidst these changes.
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Bold Bid Mirrors Legal Pressure
- Perplexity offered $34.5B cash to buy Chrome despite having under 100M monthly users and raising ~$1.5B.
- The bid aligns with DOJ timing after Google was found to illegally maintain a search monopoly.
Two Parallel Google Antitrust Battles
- DOJ found Google illegally maintained a search monopoly in August 2023 and will issue remedies soon.
- A separate AdTech trial alleging an advertising technology monopoly begins September 9, 2024.
Market Definition Will Decide AdTech Case
- The AdTech case will hinge on defining the relevant market, especially a narrow open-display auction segment.
- DOJ will argue many alternatives aren't in-market while Google will argue advertisers choose across channels.