Why? Because Chrome owns the browser market – we’re talking around two-thirds of all users globally, leaving rivals like Apple’s Safari (big on iPhones, maybe 18% overall) and Microsoft’s Edge (trying hard on desktop, about 5% overall) in the dust. Because of this, the DOJ argues that Chrome is a key way Google keeps everyone locked into its search engine. In fact, Yahoo’s own Search boss, Brian Provost, basically confirmed this. He testified that something like 60% of searches happen right in the browser bar. This means that owning the browser is owning the starting point.
Yahoo was in its heyday between 1996 and 2009. | Image credit — Wikipedia
That said, Yahoo isn’t the only one smelling opportunity, though. AI companies like OpenAI and Perplexity have also hinted they’d be interested buyers if Chrome goes up for sale. OpenAI dreams of an “AI-first browser,” while Perplexity seems keen, despite also arguing maybe Google shouldn’t be forced to sell. Even the DuckDuckGo CEO chimed in, guessing Chrome could fetch a cool $50 billion – though probably too rich for their blood.
However, for Yahoo, this isn’t just wishful thinking. Provost said they’ve been building a prototype browser for months and talking to companies about buying one. Getting Chrome, he figures, could boost Yahoo’s tiny 3% search market share into double digits.
Provost thinks they could swing the multi-billion dollar price tag thanks to their owner, Apollo Global Management. If that name sounds familiar to you, there’s probably a good reason for it. Remember Netscape? The browser that was crushed by Microsoft once upon a time when yet another massive antitrust case came about? Yes, Apollo owns it. History really does like to repeat itself, doesn’t it? This is getting very interesting, indeed.
