Perplexity AI Is Exploding: How the New Chat-Powered Search Engine Could Upend Google

San Francisco-based Perplexity AI has thrown down the gauntlet in both the search and browser arenas with the launch of “Comet,” an AI-powered web browser designed to deliver conversational, real-time answers faster than traditional search results. Rolled out on 9 July 2025, the release positions Perplexity squarely against Google Chrome at a moment when consumers are actively seeking AI-first tools that streamline how they gather information online. H2: What Comet Brings to the Browser Wars Unlike legacy browsers that rely on separate search boxes and static links, Comet bakes Perplexity’s answer engine directly into the address bar. Users can type natural-language questions—“Best cameras for beginner wildlife photography?”—and receive cited, up-to-date summaries in seconds. The browser also keeps a running, chat-style history so follow-up queries feel like an ongoing conversation rather than a new search each time. H2: AI-First Design and Key Features • Instant Conversational Results: Large-language-model responses appear side-by-side with traditional web pages, letting users scan source links without extra clicks. • Real-Time Data Pulls: Comet taps live news, academic journals, and social feeds to keep answers current—crucial for fast-moving topics such as crypto prices or election results. • Context Memory: The browser remembers session context, enabling deeper dives (“compare specs to Sony A7 IV”) without starting over. • Privacy Controls: Perplexity says user history stays on-device unless they opt in to cloud sync, a move likely to resonate with privacy-conscious shoppers. H2: Pricing and Availability Comet opens with a free tier that includes unlimited standard queries. Power users can upgrade to Comet Pro—bundled with Perplexity’s new “Max” model, higher request limits, and priority GPU access—for an early-access price of $200 per month, according to PCMag’s first look. Perplexity hints this introductory rate will drop as infrastructure scales throughout 2025. H2: Why Google Chrome Should Pay Attention Google still commands roughly two-thirds of global browser share, but the search giant has struggled to convert its Gemini AI demos into a mainstream browsing layer. Comet leapfrogs that gap, arriving with built-in multimodal search, reference citations, and a chat UI out of the box. If early adopters migrate for frictionless AI assistance, Chrome’s grip on default search behavior could loosen quickly—especially on desktop, where switching browsers is a single download away. H2: Backed by Heavyweight Investors and Rising Momentum Perplexity closed a Series B earlier this year that included Nvidia, Jeff Bezos, and NEA, boosting total funding above $115 million. The startup now claims 10 million monthly active users and more than 500 million questions asked since launch, figures likely to swell as Comet ships globally. H2: How to Download and Test Comet Today 1. Visit perplexity.ai/comet on desktop (Windows, macOS, or Linux). 2. Create or sign in with a Perplexity AI account. 3. Choose the free plan or subscribe to Comet Pro for advanced features. 4. Import bookmarks from Chrome, Edge, or Firefox in one click. 5. Start asking questions directly in the address bar and watch AI-generated answers populate alongside live web pages. H2: SEO Takeaway for Content Creators Because Comet surfaces AI summaries with clickable citations, high-quality, well-structured content remains vital. Sites that provide clear headings, up-to-date statistics, and authoritative outbound links stand a better chance of being cited by the browser’s answer engine. Optimizing for conversational keywords (“how,” “best,” “compare”) will matter just as much as traditional short-tail phrases in the age of AI-driven browsing. H2: Frequently Asked Questions Q: Does Comet replace the Perplexity AI website? A: No. The browser uses the same answer engine but adds context memory, download management, and bookmark syncing. Q: Can Comet run Chrome extensions? A: Perplexity says support for popular Chrome Web Store add-ons is on the roadmap for late 2025. Q: Is there a mobile version? A: An iOS and Android beta is slated for Q4 2025, with invite codes rolling out to Pro subscribers first. With Comet, Perplexity AI isn’t just chasing Google Search—it’s coming after Google Chrome itself. If the company’s conversational browser delivers on speed, accuracy, and privacy, 2025 could mark the biggest shift in everyday web navigation since Chrome debuted 17 years ago.