Perplexity AI, Inc.

Perplexity Launches Free Comet AI Browser Globally, Adds Background Assistant for Max Users

October 2, 2025 - Perplexity, the AI search startup, has opened up access to its Comet browser globally, offering the product free to all users. Initially launched three months ago exclusively to Max plan subscribers at $200 per month, Comet now aims to challenge dominant browsers like Google Chrome and emerging AI-based alternatives such as Dia from The Browser Company.

Comet features a prominent sidecar assistant that assists users during web browsing by summarizing content, answering queries related to the active page, managing content, and navigating sites. Since its limited release, "millions" have joined the waitlist to download the browser, Perplexity says.

In tandem with the broader launch, Perplexity has introduced a new "background assistant" for Max subscribers. CEO Aravind Srinivas revealed the tool during an event on Wednesday, describing it as a multitasking AI that operates in the background. Users can assign multiple actions simultaneously, such as sending emails, adding items to a cart, and booking flights. The assistant provides progress updates through a central dashboard and notifies users upon task completion.

A company spokesperson likened the assistant to "a team of assistants working for you," controllable via a "mission control" interface. The background assistant also includes improved connectors to interface with other apps on the user’s device.

While free users are limited to the sidecar assistant, they also gain access to features like Discover (personalized news), Spaces (project management), Shopping (price comparison and deal-finding), Travel (aggregated trip planning tools), Finance (budgeting and investment tracking), and Sports (live scores and updates).

Max subscribers receive enhanced access to Perplexity's AI models and an email assistant capable of drafting and scheduling emails, managing inboxes, and answering email-related queries. Additionally, they get early access to new tools like the background assistant.

Free users can opt into a $5/month subscription to Comet Plus, an upcoming AI-enhanced news aggregation service that competes with Apple News. Pro plan users ($20/month) and Max subscribers will receive Comet Plus as part of their existing subscriptions.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/10/02/perplexitys-comet-ai-browser-now-free-max-users-get-new-background-assistant/

Perplexity Raises $200M, Hits $20B Valuation Amid Rapid Growth

September 10, 2025 - Perplexity, an AI-driven search engine aiming to rival Google by delivering conversational query responses, has reportedly raised $200 million in new funding, valuing the company at $20 billion, according to The Information.

This latest capital infusion arrives just two months after Perplexity secured $100 million at an $18 billion valuation, as reported by Bloomberg in July.

Founded three years ago, Perplexity has now amassed a total of $1.5 billion in funding, based on PitchBook data. The lead investor in this most recent round has not been disclosed. Bloomberg previously noted that the July round was an extension of a $500 million raise earlier in the year, which was led by Accel at a $14 billion valuation.

A source familiar with Perplexity’s operations revealed that the company’s annual recurring revenue (ARR) is nearing $200 million. In August, the company's head of communication told Business Insider that ARR had already exceeded $150 million.

Perplexity has not yet issued a comment regarding the new funding.

This round of investment comes as the startup intensifies efforts to challenge Google’s search monopoly. In a notable move in August, Perplexity offered to acquire Google’s Chrome browser for $34.5 billion. That bid followed a Justice Department recommendation that Google divest Chrome over antitrust concerns. However, a federal judge ruled earlier this month that Google would not be required to dismantle its search division, allowing it to retain control of the browser.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/09/10/perplexity-reportedly-raised-200m-at-20b-valuation/

Perplexity Launches Comet Plus, a Subscription Model That Pays Publishers

August 27, 2025 - Perplexity has unveiled Comet Plus, a new subscription-based service for its AI browser, designed to provide direct financial support to content publishers. This initiative positions Perplexity among the first AI firms to implement a revenue-sharing framework with the publishers whose content underpins its ecosystem.

What Is Comet Plus?

Comet Plus is a $5-per-month premium tier within Perplexity’s AI browser, Comet. The subscription offers users exclusive access to premium content from select publishers and journalists. Existing Perplexity Pro and Max users receive Comet Plus access at no extra charge.

What sets Comet Plus apart is its publisher compensation model. Instead of only counting clicks, it includes three forms of value generation: direct website visits via Comet, citations in AI-generated content, and tasks executed by AI agents that involve publisher materials. These actions all contribute to a publisher’s earnings.

$42.5 Million Fund and Revenue Split

To support the initiative, Perplexity has allocated an initial $42.5 million fund. From the revenue generated by Comet Plus, 80% will be distributed to participating publishers, while the remaining 20% will cover the platform’s compute and operational expenses.

The model breaks down revenue contributions into three traffic categories: human visits from Comet, AI citations, and AI-driven agent interactions that utilize publisher content to fulfill user requests.

Addressing Publisher Concerns

The rollout of Comet Plus comes amid ongoing concern from publishers about declining traffic due to the rise of AI-powered answer engines. Many in the industry have argued that AI systems reduce direct engagement with original content, affecting ad revenues and content sustainability.

By introducing a transparent and trackable compensation method, Perplexity aims to ease those tensions and promote a more cooperative relationship with content creators.

“Perplexity only succeeds if journalism succeeds. We’re really committed to building and funding more sustainable, thriving news ecosystems for the AI age,” said Jessica Chan, head of publisher partnerships at Perplexity.

A Milestone in AI-Publisher Collaboration

The launch of Comet Plus marks a pivotal step in redefining how AI platforms and publishers can operate symbiotically. As AI becomes more embedded in how users browse, research, and interact with digital content, Perplexity’s approach offers a new model for ensuring high-quality journalism remains financially viable in the evolving tech landscape.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/technology/perplexity-launches-comet-plus-a-subscription-model-that-pays-publishers-101756274216724.html

Perplexity Expands Finance Dashboard to Include Live Transcripts for Indian Earnings Calls

August 18, 2025 - AI startup Perplexity has enhanced its Finance dashboard by introducing live transcriptions of quarterly earnings calls from Indian publicly listed companies. The update also includes a calendar feature to display upcoming schedules for post-earnings conference calls.

Previously limited to U.S. stock data, the Finance dashboard now extends its coverage to the Indian market. It continues to offer key financial tools such as market news updates, summaries, stock exchange charts, and listings of top-performing equities. Users can also build watchlists, monitor sector trends, and view cryptocurrency stats directly from the platform.

This marks a significant expansion for Perplexity’s finance capabilities, aligning with its broader efforts to offer real-time financial intelligence across global markets.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/18/perplexity-now-supports-live-earnings-call-transcripts-for-indian-stocks/

Perplexity offers to buy Chrome for billions more than it’s raised

August 12, 2025 - In a bold and unsolicited move, AI search startup Perplexity has made a $34.5 billion all-cash offer to acquire Chrome from Google, according to Reuters, with Perplexity confirming the news to TechCrunch.

The proposal includes commitments to keep Chrome’s core engine, Chromium, open source and to invest $3 billion in its continued development. Perplexity has also pledged to preserve Chrome's current user settings, including maintaining Google as the default search engine rather than replacing it with its own AI-driven search option.

Google has not yet responded to the offer. TechCrunch noted it would update the story if a comment is provided.

This surprising bid follows a March proposal from the U.S. Department of Justice, which recommended Google divest Chrome after a court found the company guilty of illegally sustaining a search monopoly. While Google plans to appeal and has not agreed to any divestiture, the court may define a remedy as soon as this month.

Perplexity appears to be positioning itself ahead of a potential court mandate. A spokesperson said the company anticipates the court will soon impose terms. Google is simultaneously defending another federal antitrust case involving its adtech business, where the DOJ is pushing for divestitures or a breakup.

Back in March, both OpenAI and Perplexity expressed interest in acquiring Chrome if it were to be sold. Given Chrome’s 68% market share, according to Statcounter, the browser would likely attract global interest should it be forced into a sale.

Perplexity’s offer is particularly striking given the company’s financials. PitchBook estimates the startup has raised roughly $1.5 billion to date, including a recent $100 million extension round in July that brought its valuation to $18 billion, per Bloomberg.

Despite this, Perplexity’s bid remains well below what some estimate Chrome is worth. In April, DuckDuckGo’s CEO testified in court that Chrome could be valued at "upwards of $50 billion," Bloomberg reported.

Last month, Perplexity launched its own browser, Comet, as part of its strategy to scale its AI search product independently of browsers owned by competitors like Google. The company also reportedly submitted a separate bid to merge with TikTok in July.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/12/perplexity-offers-to-buy-chrome-for-billions-more-than-its-raised/

Perplexity CEO Urges Youth to Master AI Tools Instead of Doomscrolling

July 23, 2025 - Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas has urged young people to spend less time endlessly scrolling through social media and more time learning about artificial intelligence (AI). In a recent podcast interview with Matthew Berman, Srinivas emphasized that mastering AI tools is becoming crucial to staying competitive in the job market.

“People who are at the frontier of using AI systems are going to be way more employable than people who are not. That’s guaranteed to happen,” Srinivas said. While acknowledging that platforms like Instagram provide entertainment, he stressed that they do little to advance professional goals.

AI technologies are evolving at a rapid pace, with breakthroughs emerging almost weekly. Srinivas noted that this speed is testing humanity’s ability to adapt. “The human race has never been extremely fast at adapting,” he said, warning that those unable to keep pace risk falling behind in the job market.

The CEO also highlighted the dual nature of AI’s impact on employment. While some roles may be replaced, AI is also expected to create new opportunities. “People who lose jobs will either start their own companies using AI or join new businesses that use AI tools,” Srinivas added, encouraging young people to embrace entrepreneurship or work for AI-driven companies.

Companies like Anthropic, the maker of the Claude chatbot, have predicted AI could eliminate up to half of all entry-level jobs within five years. AI pioneers such as Geoffrey Hinton have voiced concerns about potential job displacement. In contrast, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has expressed optimism, suggesting AI will also generate new roles.

Perplexity AI, founded by Srinivas, has developed an AI-powered conversational search engine that quickly became one of the most popular tools in the space. More recently, the company launched its standalone ‘Agentic browser,’ Comet. As part of a recent partnership, Bharti Airtel is offering a free one-year subscription to Perplexity Pro for eligible customers, granting access to advanced models like GPT-4o, Claude 4.0 Sonnet, and Gemini.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/perplexity-ceo-wants-youth-to-master-ai-tools-instead-of-doomscrolling-10142575/