Perplexity pays Snap $400M to integrate its AI search engine
What's the story
Snap Inc. has announced a major partnership with Perplexity, an artificial intelligence company. The collaboration, worth $400 million, will see Perplexity's AI-powered answer engine integrated directly into Snapchat. The feature is expected to roll out globally in early 2026 and will be part of Snapchat's existing Chat interface.
Feature details
Chatbot to be available in early 2026
The integration will allow Snapchat's nearly 1 billion monthly active users to ask questions and receive clear, conversational responses within the app. The move is part of Snap's larger strategy to make artificial intelligence more personal and integrated into daily conversations. Perplexity will pay Snap around $400 million over a year in cash and equity as the feature expands globally.
CEO comments
Comments from Perplexity and Snap CEOs
Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas said, "Millions of people connect and discover the world through Snapchat. By bringing Perplexity to Snapchat, we're able to serve that curiosity directly where it occurs." Snap CEO Evan Spiegel also commented on the partnership, calling it a step toward making AI "more personal, social, and fun." He added that the company hopes to collaborate with more AI innovators in the future.
Future plans
Future of Snapchat as an AI hub
The integration of Perplexity's AI engine will complement Snapchat's existing My AI chatbot, serving as an answer engine that sources real-time, credible information. This partnership is just the beginning of a larger plan to position Snapchat as a trusted hub for AI-driven discovery and learning. In a letter to shareholders, Spiegel hinted at the possibility of similar partnerships with other artificial intelligence companies in the future.