Perplexity has released a free version of its AI-native browser, Comet, a tool previously available only through a $200 per month subscription. The company stated the move is a direct response to the growing volume of low-quality content on the internet and aims to provide users with a better way to access reliable information.
Key Takeaways
- Perplexity's AI browser, Comet, is now available for free to all users, though with certain usage limits.
- The company aims to combat what its CEO calls internet "slop" by helping users find high-quality sources.
- A new $5 monthly subscription, Comet Plus, offers access to content from partners like CNN and The Washington Post.
- The move positions Perplexity as a more direct competitor to established browsers like Google Chrome.
A Strategy to Improve Web Quality
Perplexity's decision to make its Comet browser widely available stems from a concern over the declining quality of online information. CEO Aravind Srinivas highlighted the challenge of distinguishing between human-made and AI-generated content, much of which he categorizes as "slop."
"We want to build a better internet, and that needs to be accessible to everybody," Srinivas said at a launch event in San Francisco. He explained that as it becomes easier to produce content, it also becomes harder for users to find trustworthy information.
Comet is designed to address this problem by acting as an intelligent filter. The browser can summarize web pages, extract key details, and navigate through multiple links on a user's behalf. This functionality allows it to bypass low-value content and direct users to more authoritative sources for their research.
"I think slop is fundamentally going to be easier to create now, and it's going to be hard to distinguish if something is AI or human on the internet," Srinivas commented on the current state of the web.
Free Access with Limitations
The newly launched free version of Comet, which debuted in July as a premium feature, will be accessible to a global audience. However, Srinivas clarified that this tier will include rate limits to manage usage. The core features of web summarization and information extraction will be available to all free users.
What is an AI-Native Browser?
Unlike traditional browsers that primarily display web pages, an AI-native browser like Comet integrates artificial intelligence directly into its core functions. It doesn't just render content; it actively processes, summarizes, and contextualizes information from multiple sources to provide direct answers and insights for the user, aiming for a more efficient research experience.
New Subscription Model and Publisher Partnerships
Alongside the free browser, Perplexity introduced a new subscription tier called Comet Plus. Priced at $5 per month, this service provides users with access to premium content from a curated group of established media outlets.
This initiative is also framed as a way to support high-quality journalism. Perplexity has stated that it will share 80% of the subscription revenue from Comet Plus directly with its media partners. This model aims to create a sustainable financial ecosystem for publishers whose content powers AI-driven search and browsing tools.
Comet Plus Media Partners
The initial group of publishers includes several prominent names in news and media:
- CNN
- The Washington Post
- Fortune
- Los Angeles Times
- Condé Nast (owner of The New Yorker, Wired, and others)
"We have always been clear that a product like ours requires high-quality sources to exist on the web," Srinivas told Business Insider, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between AI tools and content creators.
This partnership strategy arrives while Perplexity navigates legal challenges from other publishers. Dow Jones, parent company of The Wall Street Journal, and the New York Post have filed lawsuits against the startup, alleging copyright infringement. Perplexity has denied these claims in court filings, and the new revenue-sharing model may be part of its effort to build more collaborative relationships within the media industry.
Competition with Google Chrome
The public release of Comet represents a clear challenge to the dominance of Google Chrome. While Chrome has slowly started to integrate AI features, Perplexity is positioning Comet as a tool built from the ground up with artificial intelligence at its core. A company press release noted the market's wait for "long-promised AI browsers from legacy companies."
Despite the ambitious move, Perplexity faces a significant gap in user base. Google Chrome is used by over 3 billion people worldwide. In contrast, Srinivas stated that Comet currently has a waitlist in the "millions."
Beyond a Traditional Browser
Srinivas has sought to frame Comet as more than just a replacement for Chrome. He described the tool as a "personal AI assistant" rather than a conventional browser. This distinction highlights its focus on research and information synthesis over simple page navigation.
"I think Comet is not just another browser meant to take market share away from Chrome," he explained, adding, "That's kind of how Microsoft would approach things." This suggests a focus on creating a new category of tool rather than directly competing on existing terms.
This perspective follows Perplexity's earlier, unsuccessful $34.5 billion bid to acquire Chrome, which was contingent on Google being forced to sell the browser as part of a government monopoly case. With Google retaining ownership of Chrome, Perplexity is now pursuing an independent path to grow its user base and establish its vision for the future of web navigation.
