Invited to Comet, Perplexity's new AI-powered web browser, is one of the hottest products on the web these days. The new product was first made available to a small group of maximum subscribers and invited customers at the AI company's $200 per month. But now there is a new way to jump to the waitlist. On Wednesday, PayPal announced that it would normally offer it to customers that are $200 to customers, including PayPal and Venmo users, early access to Comet and a free subscription to Perplexity Pro, a premium service from Perplexity.
The browser, launched in July, offers an AI-generated summary of integrated AI assistants, search results, product comparisons, and other features.
While co-marketing relationships are not usually news, it is worth paying attention to this transaction because of PayPal's ability to place comets in front of millions of US customers, as well as because of its ability to place comets globally.
Image credit: PayPal
The arrangement is part of an expanded partnership between PayPal and AI providers, which will benefit both companies in a variety of ways. Earlier this summer, the two companies partnered with Agent Commerce on Perplexity's platform, allowing them to check quickly when PayPal or Venmo asked AI to find products, travel or buy tickets.
For PayPal, the transaction could also draw users into the app with Comet Invite and a free subscription promise, but it could also bring attention to the new subscription hub feature, which offers a single destination where users can view and manage their subscriptions repeatedly. (In addition to this, PayPal runs a promotion that pays $50 to customers who link and pay at least three subscriptions through the service.)
Meanwhile, embarrassment increases as AI agents fight for attention, and AI-powered browsers aim to disrupt the market currently dominated by Chrome. It also helps to attract more paid subscribers as users may be proactively deciding to continue to subscribe if they forget to cancel or have a free year of Perplexity Pro up.
To receive a free 12-month subscription and Comet Invite, PayPal and Venmo users can access offers directly through their respective apps. Users only get one invitation per PayPal account and are unable to participate in PREPLEXITY PRO customers yet.
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“Our partnership with Perplexity allows PayPal and Venmo customers to access one of the most anticipated AI browsers and dynamic subscriptions early,” Diego Scotti, general manager of PayPal's consumer group, said in a prepared statement. “It's exciting to provide offers and tools that help customers to request and meet their needs the most, bring simplicity, convenience, even more rewards and navigate financial life.”
The offer will remain valid until the end of 2025 and will only be available to US customers at launch, PayPal said. It will be deployed in international markets later that month. Once your customer has signed up for Perplexity Pro, you will receive information on how to download and install the Comet browser immediately.
This week, subscription hubs will be available to all US customers after their previous ramp-up period.