Google has often positioned its data collection practices as well-intentioned, claiming it aims to provide ads that resonate with users. However, many individuals are indifferent towards ads altogether, with targeted ads often perceived as even more intrusive. In a striking contrast, Perplexity seems to embrace a more transparent approach.

CEO Aravind Srinivas disclosed during the TBPN podcast that the primary motivation behind developing the company’s browser is to gather user data to enhance advertising capabilities. Srinivas stated, “That’s kind of one of the other reasons we wanted to build a browser, is we want to get data even outside the app to better understand you.” He emphasized that a lot of user interactions with AI are work-related and not personal.

The intent is to leverage this data to build comprehensive user profiles and serve advertisements through their discover feed. While this approach may raise significant privacy concerns, the honesty from Perplexity is somewhat refreshing. The company’s strategy mirrors that of Google, where advertisements constitute a considerable portion of revenue.

Google’s recent Q1 2025 earnings indicated that ad revenue surpassed $60 billion, highlighting the lucrative nature of digital advertising. Furthermore, Perplexity is not just following Google’s lead in advertising but is also aligning itself with the tech giant in other areas. The recently launched Motorola Razr smartphones feature AI integrations, with Perplexity’s AI model included.

This is reminiscent of Google’s partnerships to enhance its Android system. Perplexity’s browser, named Comet, is scheduled for release in May, positioning the company to enter the competitive landscape of browsers eager to capitalize on digital advertising potential.