Perplexity to launch ‘Comet,’ a new AI-powered web browser
The platform faces strong competition from Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI
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Perplexity says it plans to launch its web browser ‘Comet.’ The company announced the project on X calling it an “agentic search” experience and inviting users to join a waitlist.
“Just like we reinvented search with AI, we’re also reinventing the browser,” a Perplexity spokesperson told TechCrunch. However, Perplexity has not shared details about Comet’s key features, user interface, or potential release date.
A competitive and AI-driven browser market
Perplexity is betting on a web browser to compete with the dominance of Google Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge, OpenAI, and Anthropic. But it remains unclear how Perplexity will convince users to move from other browsers already incorporating AI-powered assistants and search functions into their systems. OpenAI, for instance, has developed an Operator AI agent that operates within a dedicated browser but it does not have a browser of its own.
However, Perplexity’s expansion into web browsing suggests the company wants to control more of the search experience rather than relying on third-party browsers. This could be part of a larger strategy to establish itself among big players in AI-driven search and web navigation.
Perplexity’s AI push and monetization strategy
The company has been expanding its AI search capabilities beyond its core app. In January, it launched the Sonar API, which allows developers to integrate Perplexity’s generative AI search into their applications.
The AI startup has also focused on monetization. In November last year, it introduced an AI-powered shopping assistant ‘Buy with Pro’, just a week after it began testing ads on its search engine in the U.S.
This advertising and e-commerce move shows that Perplexity is seeking ways to generate revenue while competing with larger search and browser companies, especially as it’s gaining traction. It reported 230 million monthly queries and 2 million app downloads. In October, the company stated that its search engine was handling over 100 million queries per week.
In December 2024, Perplexity raised over $500 million from investors. This came after earlier discussions to raise the amount, having previously received $62.7 million from backers, including Nvidia and Y Combinator’s Garry Tan.
Join the waitlist for Comet.
There's been an open question over the extent to which new AI search platforms like Perplexity can pull searches away from Google and gain market share. Clearly their growth so far has been incredible, but most studies show their market share at <10%.
One hurdle to growth has been access to distribution, specifically browsers and their default search engine deals. These are agreements that have helped Google maintain dominance so far.
Perplexity therefore releasing their own browser makes a lot of sense. Scaling usage of their browser also comes with its own challenges, but at least they're making moves to own more of the assets needed to gain share in the search market.
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