Not a Bug: Comet AI Browser Officially Locks New Tab Page — “By Design”

October 21 — Tech outlet Windows Report revealed that AI search company Perplexity has confirmed a controversial design choice in its Comet browser: the new tab page is permanently locked to display Perplexity.ai, and this is intentional, not a glitch.

Unlike mainstream browsers like Chrome or Edge, Comet’s new tab page is permanently fixed to Perplexity’s homepage, and users are prevented from customizing or replacing it through any browser extensions.

According to reports from IT Home, every time users open a new tab, the browser automatically loads the Perplexity.ai page. While it includes a search bar, chat history, and a few widgets, users cannot alter the layout or move elements of the interface.

Even popular Chrome extensions such as Momentum and Toby fail to override it — the browser simply reloads the Perplexity homepage each time.

Crucially, this behavior is not a technical bug. Official documentation confirms it is “by design”, meant to protect the browser’s core AI functions and maintain a consistent interface.

As the documentation explains:

“Most Chrome extensions will work smoothly, but those that attempt to modify the default start page may not behave as expected.”

Industry analysts suggest this move signals Perplexity’s strategic shift toward a unified AI-first experience, even if it means sacrificing the open flexibility users are accustomed to in traditional browsers.