Yahoo Eyes Chrome Acquisition as Google Faces Antitrust Trial Over Search Market Dominance

According to a Bloomberg report, Yahoo, a technology company based in New York, showed a significant interest in purchasing the Chrome web browser in the event that a court orders Google to sell it. This information came to light during Google's ongoing antitrust prosecution with the United States Justice Department (DOJ), which is accusing the company of engaging in monopolistic practices in the search market.

According to Brian Provost, Yahoo's General Manager of Search, it is essential for any search engine to possess a web browser in order to effectively compete. He clarified that approximately 60% of search queries are conducted through browsers, with the majority being entered directly into the address bar. Yahoo has been developing its own browser; however, acquiring Chrome would substantially increase its market presence. Provost estimates that such an agreement could increase Yahoo's search market share from 3% to double digits, despite the fact that it would require tens of billions of dollars. Yahoo is financially prepared for the spending, as it is backed by its parent company, Apollo Global.

Yahoo is not the only organisation that is interested. Chrome has also been expressed as a potential acquisition target by AI companies such as Perplexity and OpenAI.  Nick Turley, the Head of Product at OpenAI, stated that ChatGPT would be able to provide more precise and timely information if it were able to control a browser.

The Department of Justice has suggested a variety of strategies to limit Google's dominance, such as the sale of Chrome. In contrast, Google has proposed that its exclusive agreements with partners be relaxed. Chrome continues to be the most widely used browser in the world, with a global market share of 66.6% and a user base of over 3 billion. This makes it a critical component of Google's robust ecosystem.