Let’s break it down.
Perplexity just rolled out a brand-new browser called Comet. It’s not your usual browser. It doesn’t just load pages. It thinks, acts, and answers for you using AI.
This is a big move, and here’s why everyone’s watching:
Google Chrome controls 68% of the global browser market. That’s massive. Safari, Edge, Firefox? They’re all distant runners-up. So when someone says they’re building a browser to challenge Chrome, you pay attention.
So, what exactly is Perplexity Comet?
At its core, Perplexity Comet is a browser with an AI assistant baked right in. You don’t just type URLs or search terms, you ask questions, get summaries, compare products, even book appointments all inside one clean interface.
Think of it as a cross between ChatGPT and a traditional browser. But instead of jumping between tabs or Googling and clicking links, you ask, and Perplexity Comet does the legwork.
Let’s say you’re planning a vacation:
- Want to compare the best hotels in Goa under ₹5,000? Ask.
- Need a quick summary of a 2,000-word blog? Ask.
- Would you like to block out time on your calendar for the trip? Ask.
It’s all designed to feel more natural, like having a smart research assistant right at your fingertips in your browser.
Who’s backing Perplexity Comet?
Perplexity isn’t a nobody. They’ve got backing from Nvidia, Jeff Bezos, and SoftBank. These aren’t small checks. These are investors who don’t throw money around unless they see something big.
That alone tells us Perplexity’s aiming to do more than just exist in the browser space. They want to shift how we use the internet.
How much does Perplexity Comet cost?
Right now, Comet is only available to Perplexity Max subscribers. That’s $200 per month.
Yes, it’s steep. They’re targeting professionals, researchers, execs, and power users who value time over money. That said, they’re planning a wider rollout through invites over the summer.
Privacy: Is Your Data Safe with Perplexity Comet?
This one’s important.
Comet stores data locally and doesn’t train its models on your activity. If you’re someone who gets creeped out by how much Google seems to know about you, this is a big plus.
But there’s a flip side.
Comet has already gotten heat from big publishers, Forbes, Wired, Wall Street Journal for allegedly using their content without permission. Perplexity is now scrambling to set up a publisher partnership program, probably to avoid lawsuits.
So while they talk a lot about privacy and fairness, they’re also walking a fine line with content usage. Let’s see how that plays out.
How is Perplexity Comet different from ChatGPT or other AI tools?
Good question.
You might think, Isn’t this just ChatGPT in a browser wrapper?
Not exactly. While OpenAI is working on its own AI browser too (reportedly launching soon), Comet is already live. And it’s more tightly integrated with the browser experience.
OpenAI’s browser is expected to keep users inside a chat-style interface for most tasks, too, but it hasn’t dropped yet. Meanwhile, Google’s answer to all this AI Overviews is baked into its existing search, not a full browser overhaul.
What this really means is:
Perplexity is the first real mover in the AI browser race.
Why does Perplexity Comet matter?
Chrome isn’t just a browser. It’s part of Google’s entire money machine. The more you use it, the more data Google collects. That data fuels ad targeting, which brings in billions.
If a browser like Comet can even grab a small slice of Chrome’s user base, especially among power users, it could change the game. Not just for browsing, but for advertising, search, and how we use the internet in general.
Remember:
- Over 3 billion people use Chrome.
- A U.S. judge recently said Google holds an unfair monopoly on search.
- OpenAI even said it’d consider buying Chrome if it were ever put up for sale.
We’re heading into a browser war that’s less about speed and bookmarks, and more about who controls the future of search and productivity online.
Final thought:
- Comet is Perplexity’s new AI browser designed to do tasks for you, not just load pages.
- It’s only available for $200/month subscribers right now, with wider access coming soon.
- Backed by Nvidia, Bezos, and SoftBank, Perplexity isn’t playing small.
- Focus is on privacy, with local data storage and no training on personal info.
- Facing backlash for using publisher content without permission but working on it.
- OpenAI’s browser is coming, but Comet is already live.
- Chrome still rules with 68% market share, but that grip may loosen.
If you’re still typing into Google and clicking links yourself, that workflow might feel outdated very soon. The future of browsing could look a lot more like chatting, and companies like Perplexity are betting big on it.
Want to stay ahead? Keep an eye on how this space evolves. Things are just getting started.
I’m Nitin Pandey, an SEO expert with 5+ years of experience helping brands grow online through smart digital marketing, higher Google rankings, and results-driven strategies that work.
