Why Perplexity.in sends users to Google Gemini: Domain mix-up explained

Visitors attempting to access the Indian domain for AI chatbot Perplexity are finding themselves sent to a rival platform instead of the service they intended to use. Entering Perplexity.in takes users straight to Google Gemini, prompting speculation about how the redirect came to be.

Such situations typically arise when a company fails to acquire a country-specific domain, leaving it available for someone else to purchase and repurpose. In this instance, the redirect appears to be the result of Perplexity not securing the .in extension. There is, however, no indication that Google is behind the acquisition of the domain.

Perplexity operates globally through Perplexity.ai

The San Francisco–based startup relies on its Perplexity.ai domain and does not appear to maintain localised domain names for major markets. Even Perplexity.com forwards users to the .ai address.

A similar pattern is seen in other regions, as the company has not claimed domains in the UK (.uk), Germany (.de), France (.fr), Canada (.ca), or several other countries. This suggests the missing Indian domain may simply reflect Perplexity’s broader approach to domain management rather than an isolated oversight.

Expansion in India continues despite domain mix-up

The timing of the redirect is noteworthy, as Perplexity is actively increasing its presence in India. The company recently joined hands with Airtel to expand access to Perplexity Pro, while its AI-powered browser, Comet, has been introduced to Indian Pro users. The browser brings features such as email drafting, meeting scheduling, and seamless online shopping support.

Despite the confusion surrounding the Indian domain, Perplexity’s India-focused initiatives indicate that the company is pushing ahead with its expansion plans — even if the .in redirect suggests otherwise.