Mozilla is testing Perplexity AI as a default search engine in its Firefox browser. As part of the Firefox 139 update, users in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany will now see Perplexity listed among the available search options. This means they can run queries using Perplexity directly from Firefox’s address bar without needing to visit the website.

Perplexity's CEO, Aravind Srinivas, confirmed the rollout in a post on X, calling the move “the end of the beginning.” This rollout brings Perplexity closer to the mainstream search experience. According to Mozilla, the test aims to offer users a more conversational and direct way of getting answers, similar to Google’s AI Overviews.

How users can access the Perplexity AI engine in Firefox’s address bar

Users in the supported regions can open Firefox and type their search into the address bar. A new dropdown option labeled “Search with Perplexity” will appear. Selecting it will trigger a search through Perplexity’s AI engine. After several uses, Firefox may prompt users with an option to permanently add Perplexity as a search engine.

Perplexity gains ground in the AI search race

Perplexity’s integration with Firefox comes at a time when AI-powered search tools are shaking up the search space. While Google still dominates the market, newer entrants like ChatGPT, DeepSeek, and Perplexity are chipping away at its share. According to available traffic estimates, ChatGPT currently leads in AI search with an 80% traffic share.

Perplexity is also showing strong momentum. In May alone, the company handled 780 million queries and is growing at more than 20% month-over-month. Perplexity now processes around 30 million search queries daily.

This traction is drawing attention from major browsers and device makers. Apple appears to be exploring Perplexity as an alternative. Although Google remains Safari’s default search engine, Apple’s Senior Vice President Eddy Cue said in May that “AI search providers will eventually replace standard search engines like Google.” He added that AI is behind the first drop in Safari search volumes in 22 years.

Hardware companies are also considering other AI search tools. Samsung is reportedly in discussions to preload the Perplexity AI app and assistant on its future devices. That could also include integration into Samsung’s default web browser.

As users turn to tools that skip the traditional list of links in favor of direct, conversational answers, Mozilla wants to adapt to this change by adding Perplexity AI to its Firefox browser.

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