Perplexity AI, a growing competitor in AI-powered search, is developing a web browser called Comet, a move that could directly challenge Google’s dominance in search and web navigation.
While traditional browsers act as entry points to search engines, Comet is expected to integrate AI into the browsing experience, allowing users to obtain answers without relying on Google or Bing.
Comet: A Browser for Agentic Search by Perplexity
— Perplexity (@perplexity_ai) February 24, 2025
Coming soon. pic.twitter.com/SwVSwudgtN
Perplexity’s CEO Aravind Srinivas has hinted that the browser will emphasize “AI features like smarter Deep Research and basic agent workflows” and “core browsing improvements that Chrome hasn’t shipped for ages.”
If implemented effectively, this approach could fundamentally change how users interact with the web by reducing the number of direct searches performed on Google. This would directly impact Google’s ad-driven business model, which heavily depends on users clicking on search results.
Comet follows a series of AI innovations by Perplexity, signaling its intent to build an ecosystem beyond search. The company recently launched a multimodal AI assistant for Android, designed to process voice, text, and images in real-time, competing directly with Google Assistant and OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Additionally, its Deep Research mode aims to provide more accurate, citation-backed search results instead of Google’s ad-prioritized rankings.
Could AI-First Browsing Replace Search Engines?
For decades, search engines have been the primary way users access information, with browsers acting as neutral gateways. If Comet integrates AI-powered responses directly into web navigation, it could reduce reliance on search engines by providing immediate, contextual answers without requiring users to visit multiple websites.
Microsoft has already integrated AI into Edge via its AI Copilot, while other companies, like Arc, are testing AI-assisted browsing. However, Comet appears to be taking a more aggressive approach—rather than AI being an add-on feature, it could become the core of the browsing experience.
If AI-driven browsing proves useful, it could force major players like Google to rethink their search model. Google Chrome, which controls over 65% of the browser market, is deeply tied to Google Search. If Comet gains traction, it could disrupt the ad-based revenue stream that fuels Google’s search empire.
How Will Perplexity Monetize an AI-Powered Browser?
Unlike Google, which profits from search-based advertising, Perplexity does not rely on ads to generate revenue. This raises an important question: how will Comet sustain itself financially?
One potential answer lies in Perplexity’s recent launch of the Sonar API, which allows businesses to integrate real-time AI search into their platforms. If Comet includes similar features for enterprise customers or offers premium AI-powered browsing enhancements, it could follow a subscription or API-based monetization strategy.
However, a possible Comet’s AI integration raises questions about privacy. While Perplexity has marketed itself as a privacy-conscious alternative to Google, an AI-powered browser that provides real-time search assistance would likely require significant interaction with browsing data. How Perplexity handles this balance will be crucial for user trust.
Perplexity has already shown a willingness to push boundaries when it comes to AI openness. The company quickly integrated the China’s DeepSeek R1 reasoning model, a decision that raised questions about content regulation and misinformation risks. If Comet follows a similar approach, it could face scrutiny from policymakers concerned with AI-generated content moderation.
However, the company days ago introduced a censorship-free version of the original R1 model called R1 1776, aiming to position itself as a key player in the ongoing debate over AI transparency and moderation.
Can Comet Break Into a Competitive Browser Market?
Even if Comet introduces a novel approach to browsing, convincing users to switch will be difficult. Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Apple Safari dominate the market, largely because they are deeply integrated into their respective ecosystems. Users often stick with their default browsers, making it challenging for new entrants to gain widespread adoption.
Alternative browsers have struggled to gain traction in the past. Mozilla Firefox, once a major competitor, has seen its market share decline significantly. Privacy-focused browsers like Brave and Vivaldi have gained niche audiences but have not meaningfully disrupted Chrome’s dominance. If Comet follows a similar path, it may find itself appealing to early adopters while struggling to reach a broader user base.
In the end it might all depend on how Perplexity’s core AI features perform in comparison to its competitors, especially to Google Gemini.
Perplexity has not provided a timeline for Comet’s release, but given the company’s rapid expansion into AI-powered search and mobile AI assistants, it is likely that development is moving forward at a steady pace. If successful, Comet could push AI-assisted browsing into the mainstream, reshaping how users engage with online content and reducing dependence on traditional search engines.
