Mozilla has launched a test for an integrated AI-based search engine called Perplexity within Firefox. According to Windows Report, some users have noticed a relevant notification in the address bar of version 139 of the browser.

Users are prompted to use the Perplexity search engine when they attempt to make a query, with the suggestion appearing as a pop-up notification. Additionally, users have the option to opt-out of the testing.

Unlike standard search engines such as Google or DuckDuckGo, Perplexity employs artificial intelligence to gather information from various sources, providing a single, comprehensive answer to queries.

This move may indicate that Mozilla is seeking alternatives to Google, which has been the default search engine in Firefox for many years and contributes substantially to the company's revenue. Whether the testing with Perplexity will evolve into a formal partnership remains uncertain. The browser also supports Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Wikipedia.

It's worth noting that earlier in May, Mozilla stated that without an agreement with Google, Firefox could face closure. The company's CFO, Eric Mühlheim, mentioned that legal rulings regarding Google's monopoly in the search engine market pose a threat to the browser's existence.

According to unconfirmed reports, Google pays the browser developers approximately $400 million annually for the right to be the default search engine. Mühlheim previously stated that the agreement between the companies accounts for about 85% of Firefox's revenue.