Why both Apple and Meta are interested in buying Perplexity AI

In the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, the next big frontier is not just smarter chatbots or faster processors — it’s the reinvention of how we search for information. In this context, a new AI company, Perplexity AI, has emerged as a significant player, drawing serious acquisition interest from two of the world’s tech giants: Apple and Meta.
While it’s not unusual for smaller AI firms to attract attention from Big Tech, the scale and urgency of interest in Perplexity tell a much deeper story — one that speaks to the future of how humans interact with information, the shifting AI landscape, and the strategic priorities of Silicon Valley’s elite.
What is Perplexity AI?
Founded in 2022, Perplexity AI is a search-first AI assistant that combines the functionality of a search engine with the fluidity of a conversational chatbot. It stands out by providing real-time, cited answers — users get responses backed by links to actual sources, reducing the mystery around how AI arrives at an answer. Unlike traditional search engines that provide a list of links, Perplexity gives a concise, readable response directly, making it feel more like talking to a knowledgeable assistant than browsing a web directory.
The platform reportedly handles over 780 million queries per month and is valued at around $14 billion as of its latest funding round. Its model integrates top-tier large language models like GPT-4.1, Claude, and Gemini, while also incorporating its proprietary tech. In an AI space crowded with general-purpose tools, Perplexity’s focus on transforming search gives it an edge.
Apple’s Interest: A Strategic Shift
Apple has long lagged behind rivals in the AI arms race. While Siri was once revolutionary, it now feels outdated compared to ChatGPT or even Google Assistant. With its recent introduction of Apple Intelligence, the company is trying to reposition itself — but it still lacks a credible AI-powered search offering.
Reports suggest that Apple has held internal talks about acquiring Perplexity AI, not just to enhance Siri, but to possibly replace or augment the search experience in Safari. Apple currently earns billions from its deal with Google to make it the default search engine on iPhones — but owning its own AI-powered search system could reduce this dependency and potentially turn users toward a proprietary Apple search ecosystem.
Such a move would also align with Apple’s broader goals: privacy, integration, and premium UX. By owning Perplexity, Apple could deliver a tightly integrated, on-device AI experience that keeps user data private — something Apple regularly touts as a key differentiator.
Meta’s Perspective: Catching Up in the AI Race
Meta, meanwhile, is taking a much more aggressive approach to AI. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been investing billions into infrastructure, open-source models, and AI research, but the company has struggled to deliver a breakthrough product that can rival ChatGPT or Google Gemini.
Perplexity represents a chance to leapfrog that process.
Meta has reportedly explored acquiring multiple AI startups — including Thinking Machines and Safe Superintelligence — and Perplexity is high on its list. The logic is clear: Meta needs to integrate intelligent AI systems across its family of apps — from Facebook to WhatsApp to Instagram — and a strong AI search tool could become a backbone for everything from content discovery to customer service.
Moreover, Meta’s previous AI search experiences (like the Facebook Graph Search) never really took off. Buying a company like Perplexity with a working, scalable product could allow Meta to skip the trial-and-error stage and go straight to deployment.
The Broader Context: The Search Wars Are Just Beginning
Google currently dominates the global search market, but cracks are beginning to show. Its ad-based model relies on keeping users clicking through web pages, while AI search — where the answer is summarized and presented directly — threatens that very structure. Tools like ChatGPT, Bing AI, and Perplexity are introducing users to a new way of finding information, one that doesn’t involve ten blue links.
This shift has created a massive opportunity — and whoever controls the future of search controls the gateway to the internet.
Apple and Meta both recognize that. Apple wants to reduce reliance on Google and offer an all-Apple AI experience. Meta wants to embed search-like intelligence into every corner of its social platforms. Both are looking at Perplexity not just as a tool, but as a strategic asset.
Why Perplexity Might Say No
Despite the interest, there’s no guarantee Perplexity will sell. The company’s recent $500 million funding round gives it runway to expand independently. Founder Aravind Srinivas has emphasized building “a new kind of search engine” rather than simply cashing out to Big Tech.
By remaining independent, Perplexity can also maintain neutrality — something increasingly valuable in an AI world shaped by the agendas of mega-corporations. It can integrate with multiple LLMs, avoid platform lock-ins, and serve a broader user base.
Still, the lure of Apple’s ecosystem or Meta’s global reach could tip the balance if the terms — and vision — align.
Conclusion: More Than Just a Deal
The potential acquisition of Perplexity AI by either Apple or Meta is more than a business story. It’s a sign of how seriously tech companies are taking the future of search and AI integration.
Whether it ends in acquisition or not, Perplexity has already changed the game. It proved that AI can do search better — faster, more clearly, and with trustable citations. That alone makes it one of the most exciting AI companies in the world right now.
The only question is: who will control it?