Google’s browser Chrome is more than just a browser; it’s a linchpin in Alphabet Inc.'s business model, connecting over 3 billion users globally to the tech giant’s ecosystem.

The U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) recent antitrust actions against the company could disrupt this ecosystem following a landmark ruling that Google holds an illegal monopoly in online search. Therefore, the DOJ has proposed compelling Google to divest Chrome – a move that would curb Google’s ability to favor its own search engine within the browser, fostering competition in the search market.

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Despite its ubiquity, Chrome – in spite of its estimated $20 billion valuation, according to Bloomberg Intelligene – has never been a direct profit center. Instead, its value lies in serving as a gateway to Google’s broader suite of services — from Search to YouTube, Gmail, and beyond — driving data collection, advertising, and subscription revenues.

While not directly lucrative, the browser is a cornerstone of Google’s strategy, anchoring users within its ecosystem and ensuring seamless integration of its services. Divesting Chrome would not only strip Google of control over one of the internet's primary gateways but also challenge its dominance in online advertising and data collection.

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On the other hand, identifying a suitable buyer is no small feat.

First, potential buyers with the financial muscle to acquire Chrome are likely to face antitrust scrutiny from the onset. Then, there are huge operation costs to be swallowed along with the browser - from high-paid engineers to substantial cloud infrastructure – which Google compensates with high ad revenues.

Any buyer would need to develop new profit mechanisms, such as premium features or Web3 innovations, or perhaps a crypto project, in order to sustain the platform, aside from paying the above-mentioned price.

Should Chrome be sold, the implications for the browser market and Google’s rivals could be seismic. Beyond the business implications, a divestiture raises questions about Chrome’s future user base. Without Google’s resources and seamless integrations, would Chrome maintain its dominance?

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Rivals like Microsoft’s Edge or Apple’s Safari might gain ground and smaller players like Brave and Arc could see opportunities to thrive. Others might be encouraged to develop their own browsers - like OpenAI is doing now.

For consumers, the move could ultimately lead to a more competitive and diverse browser landscape. For corporate users and government actors working on Google platforms it means a significant restructuring effort and expensive technological adaptations.

While a sale could shake up the browser market, the path forward is fraught with uncertainty. Legal challenges and the complexities of finding a buyer capable of managing Chrome’s scale mean any changes are likely years away.

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The importance of Chrome to Google extends far beyond its surface functionality. It is a cornerstone of Alphabet’s digital empire — and any divestiture would ripple through the tech world, reshaping not just Google’s strategy but the future of internet browsing.

It’s naïve, however, to believe that Alphabet will submit to the government’s demand without fight; it could be the main fight in the 26-year-old history of the tech giant. Kent Walker, chief legal officer for Google and Alphabet, noted in a 21 November blog post that the DOJ's decision “goes miles beyond the Court’s decision” and is part of a “radical interventionist agenda” that would ultimately harm customers and innovation.

Radical measures are proposed by Canada and the United Kingdom, which too have filed claims against the company. The sale of Chrome could be the start of the end of Google’s online dominance.

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