Firefox Tests AI-Powered Perplexity Search Engine Directly in Browser

Mozilla Firefox experiments with AI-powered Perplexity Search Engine in its address bar for version 139, signalling a potential shift in search partnerships and user experience.

Mozilla Firefox, a long-standing web browser, is experimenting with integrating the AI-driven Perplexity Search Engine directly into its user interface. Currently being tested in Firefox version 139, this initiative involves a pop-up advertisement within the address bar, appearing when Firefox is in Search Mode, inviting users to try Perplexity as a “new way to search in Firefox.”

This move suggests Firefox is exploring alternatives to its long-standing reliance on Google for search, potentially aiming to diversify its offerings and revenue streams.

According to Windows Report, Mozilla is closely monitoring its progress. A project note mentions an engineer, @Mandy Cheang, who is working on the “draft experiment recipe” for this integration, targeting the Firefox 139 release.

The pop-up message itself reads: “Introducing Perplexity: a new way to search in Firefox. Ask questions. Get complete, well-cited answers. Try Perplexity or Dismiss.” This direct promotion within the browser’s primary search interface marks a significant step beyond simply listing Perplexity as an alternative search option.

Perplexity is different from other search engines like Google due to the integration of artificial intelligence to generate direct, well-cited answers to user queries. Instead of presenting a list of links, Perplexity synthesizes information from various sources into a conversational, chat-like format, often providing citations to support its responses. Users can also engage in follow-up questions to get an in-depth understanding. This approach helps address the common issue of information overload as seen in conventional searches, where users get bombarded with numerous links to find relevant information.

Mozilla’s exploration of Perplexity could be a strategic move to secure alternative revenue streams. While Google reportedly pays Mozilla over $400 million annually, to be the default search engine in Firefox, this experiment signals an openness to AI-centric search solutions. It’s important to note that Perplexity recently launched Comet, a competitor to Google Chrome, and Mozilla and Perplexity have not yet publicly confirmed any financial agreements or the duration of this testing phase.

While the exact targeting of this test, whether by specific regions or a percentage of Firefox 139 users, remains unconfirmed by Mozilla, it indicates a potential shift in how the browser approaches web search. Firefox currently offers users search options including Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Wikipedia.

The outcome of this experiment will determine whether Perplexity could become a more permanent addition to this list and change the way most users search online. Beyond this specific integration, Firefox will also soon prompt users to agree to updated terms of use upon startup.