AI-powered search engine Perplexity has acquired Read.cv, a social media platform for professionals that once rivaled LinkedIn.
The acquisition, announced on January 17, 2025, will see Read.cv cease operations as its team integrates into Perplexity’s growing mission to make knowledge more accessible.
This move marks Perplexity’s third acquisition in recent years, as the company continues to expand its capabilities and strengthen its position in the corporate and AI-driven knowledge space.
Key Details About the Acquisition
Read.cv Winds Down Services
With this acquisition, Read.cv will begin winding down its platform. Users have until May 16, 2025, to export their data, including profiles, posts, and messages.
Those using “.cv” domains for personal websites will transition to Hello.cv starting January 31, 2025, ensuring continuity for their online presence.
Why Perplexity Acquired Read.cv
The acquisition appears to be a strategic move to enhance Perplexity’s expertise in designing consumer and social experiences.
CEO Aravind Srinivas praised the Read.cv team for their design and engineering capabilities, highlighting their alignment with Perplexity’s mission of open knowledge exploration.
The Vision Behind the Move
A Shared Mission of Accessibility
Read.cv’s co-founders expressed their excitement about joining Perplexity, emphasizing their shared values of making knowledge open and accessible. This collaboration is set to merge Read.cv’s innovative tools with Perplexity’s cutting-edge AI capabilities.
We read all the AI news and test the best tools so you don’t have to. Then we send 30,000+ profesionnals a weekly email showing how to leverage it all to: 📈 Increase their income 🚀 Get more done ⚡ Save time.
What Read.cv Brought to the Table
Founded in 2021 by Andy Chung, a former product designer at Facebook, Mozilla, and Salesforce, Read.cv offered professionals tools to share resumes, chat within their industries, and connect with organizations. Its features included:
- Team profiles and job postings
- Candidate search tools for recruiters
- A “Sites” feature for personal websites with “.cv” domains
Despite its small size, only three employees, Read.cv carved out a niche by offering sleek, design-focused solutions for professionals seeking alternatives to traditional platforms.
How Perplexity Could Leverage Read.cv’s Expertise
Perplexity has been ramping up its corporate-focused features, including an enterprise plan launched last summer. By acquiring Read.cv, Perplexity could integrate professional networking elements into its existing offerings, such as:
- Enhanced user management tools
- Internal knowledge search systems
- Dynamic AI-powered features for recruiters and professionals
These additions may appeal to Perplexity’s venture capital backers, who have invested over $500 million in the company and are likely eager for a return on their investment.
Perplexity’s Growing Acquisition Strategy
Building a Comprehensive Ecosystem
Read.cv is the latest in a series of acquisitions by Perplexity, following the purchases of Carbon (specializing in AI system integration) and Spellwise (focused on mobile app development). These moves demonstrate Perplexity’s commitment to expanding its capabilities across multiple fronts.
A $9 Billion Valuation
With a valuation reportedly reaching $9 billion, Perplexity is clearly aiming to dominate the intersection of AI, professional tools, and accessible knowledge platforms.
What’s Next for Perplexity and Read.cv Users?
For Read.cv users, the immediate priority is exporting data and transitioning domain management to Hello.cv.
For Perplexity, the focus will likely be on integrating Read.cv’s expertise to create innovative solutions that cater to both corporate clients and individual professionals.
We read all the AI news and test the best tools so you don’t have to. Then we send 30,000+ profesionnals a weekly email showing how to leverage it all to: 📈 Increase their income 🚀 Get more done ⚡ Save time.
As the tech landscape evolves, this acquisition highlights the growing importance of collaboration between AI-driven platforms and user-centric social tools.
Table: Key Dates and Actions for Read.cv Users
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Data Export Deadline | May 16, 2025 | Users must download their profiles, posts, and messages. |
| Domain Migration Begins | January 31, 2025 | Transition to Hello.cv for continued domain management. |
By combining forces, Perplexity and Read.cv may set a new standard for professional platforms powered by AI. What do you think about this trend?
