Yahoo Inc. has announced it’s ready to bid for Google Chrome browser if a court forces Google to sell it. According to HindustanTimes, Yahoo’s interest came during a three-week hearing in a Washington federal court where Judge Amit Mehta is considering remedies after ruling last year that Google illegally monopolized the search market. The US Justice Department and several states are pushing for Chrome’s sale as a potential solution.
Why Google Might Have to Sell Chrome
Google is facing antitrust litigation – legal action that stops companies from controlling too much of a market. The judge already ruled that Google has an illegal monopoly in internet search. A monopoly happens when one company controls so much of a market that others can’t compete fairly. The court is now looking at possible solutions, including making Google sell off its popular Chrome browser through a process called divestiture (forced selling).
Who Wants to Buy Chrome
Yahoo isn’t the only company interested in Chrome. OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has also expressed interest. Brian Provost, Yahoo Search’s general manager, and Nick Turley, OpenAI’s ChatGPT chief, have both indicated their companies would consider purchasing Chrome. The potential sale has attracted attention because Chrome is the most used browser in the world.
Chrome’s Power in the Browser World (2025)
| Browser | Market Share | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Google Chrome | 64.86% (65.33% on mobile) | 1st |
| Apple Safari | 18.59% | 2nd |
| Microsoft Edge | 5.4% | 3rd |
| Mozilla Firefox | 2.9% | 4th |
How Much Chrome Might Cost
- Bloomberg estimate: $15 billion to $20 billion
- Yahoo’s estimate: $10 billion to $20 billion (stated in court)
- Based on Chrome’s 3 billion monthly active users as of April 2025
Yahoo has been trying to revive its search engine business and sees Chrome as a strategic opportunity. Recently, OpenAI also expressed interest in buying Chrome. Other potential buyers include Perplexity, though no final sale is guaranteed.
This case could completely change how we browse the internet. If Chrome changes hands, it might affect billions of users worldwide. The final decision about Chrome’s future remains with the court, but the high interest from multiple companies shows just how valuable and powerful this browser has become in our digital lives.
