Perplexity AI, a burgeoning player in the artificial intelligence sector, is making strides to integrate its innovative Comet browser into smartphones. This ambitious move, as revealed by CEO and Co-Founder Aravind Srinivas in a recent interview, could significantly enhance the company’s market presence by leveraging the inherent ‘stickiness’ of default browser apps.
In Talks with Mobile Device Makers
Srinivas disclosed that Perplexity AI is in discussions with leading mobile device manufacturers to preinstall the Comet browser on smartphones. This strategic decision aims to capitalize on the user’s tendency to stick with preloaded browser apps, thereby encouraging consistent use of Perplexity’s AI-driven tools.
However, the task is not without its challenges. “It’s not easy to convince mobile OEMs to change the default browser to Comet from Chrome,” Srinivas noted, emphasizing the competitive landscape dominated by established giants.
Dominance of Existing Browsers
According to data from Statcounter, Google Chrome holds a commanding 70% market share on mobile devices. This dominance is further cemented by Apple and Samsung’s browsers, which together claim another 24% of the market.
A Strategic Move for Wider Reach
This initiative follows earlier reports of Perplexity’s negotiations with major players like Samsung and Motorola to embed its technology into their smartphones. Currently, the Comet browser is in its beta phase, accessible only in a desktop version. This version seamlessly integrates Perplexity’s AI, allowing users to query personal data, manage emails and browser history, and perform tasks such as scheduling meetings.
Srinivas expressed aspirations to reach “tens to hundreds of millions” of users by 2026. This goal is contingent upon stabilizing the desktop version for a few hundred thousand initial testers.
The Rise of Agentic AI Browsers
Perplexity’s efforts are part of a broader industry shift towards browsers equipped with agentic AI capabilities. These browsers require minimal human intervention to make decisions and execute tasks. Perplexity is not alone in this pursuit; OpenAI is also reportedly developing its own agentic AI browser, designed to automate complex processes like trip booking and financial management.
Impact on Traditional SEO Models
The advent of AI-powered search technologies from companies like Perplexity and Google is reshaping the traditional SEO marketing model, especially for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). As reported by PYMNTS, this model is losing ground as AI-driven tools increasingly dominate the discovery phase.
Joy Youell, owner of Winsome Marketing, highlighted this shift: “SMBs can’t just rely on ranking for search terms anymore. They’ll need to focus on visibility inside generative AI platforms — whether that’s structured data, verified listings, or integrations through plugins, APIs or partnerships.”
Conclusion
Perplexity AI’s initiative to introduce the Comet browser on mobile devices marks a significant step in the evolution of web browsing. As the company navigates the complexities of market competition and technological integration, its success could herald a new era in AI-enhanced digital interaction.
Note: This article is inspired by content from https://www.pymnts.com/artificial-intelligence-2/2025/perplexity-wants-to-add-its-comet-ai-browser-to-smartphones/. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.