As tensions escalate between AI companies and news organizations, Perplexity AI is introducing a new compensation model designed to ensure publishers are paid for their content. The company, led by CEO Aravind Srinivas, has committed $42.5 million to fund payments for publishers whose articles are surfaced in its Comet browser or used in responses to AI-driven queries. “AI is helping to create a better internet, but publishers still need to get paid,” Srinivas said, describing the initiative as part of a broader push for a more balanced digital ecosystem.
Unlike traditional web models that rely on ad-driven traffic and clicks, Perplexity is pushing a fresh approach. “The old model of clicks and web traffic is outdated. We just want to create a new standard for compensation,” said Jessica C., the company’s head of publisher partnerships. The new system is tied to Comet Plus, a $5-per-month subscription plan that will share 80% of revenue with publishers, while Perplexity keeps the remaining 20%.
The launch comes at a time when Perplexity is facing mounting criticism from major media companies. Outlets such as Forbes and Condé Nast have alleged that their content was used without authorization, while Dow Jones and the New York Post have taken legal action. Despite these disputes, Perplexity has maintained its position. “We are confident AI companies will win all of these lawsuits,” spokesperson Jesse Dwyer said, describing the litigation as necessary to “settle the law early on.”
Financially, the startup is well-positioned to support its ambitions. Perplexity recently raised $100 million at an $18 billion valuation, underscoring strong investor confidence. The company has also made bold moves to challenge entrenched players in the search and browser markets, making headlines with a $34.5 billion bid for Chrome. Srinivas noted that the bid is backed by “well-funded people who want to back us,” signaling the company’s readiness to compete head-to-head with Google and other tech giants.
By introducing a revenue-sharing model for publishers, Perplexity is attempting to rewrite the rules of engagement between AI firms and the media industry. Whether through legal showdowns, strategic partnerships, or aggressive expansion, the company is making it clear that it intends to play a central role in shaping the future of how AI and journalism coexist.
