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Snap Terminates AI Partnership With Perplexity Amid Strategic Reassessment

Deal Dissolution And Strategic Reassessment

Snap Inc. ended its partnership with Perplexity during the first quarter of 2026, according to its earnings report. The decision cancels previously announced plans to integrate Perplexity’s conversational AI search into Snapchat’s chat interface.

The agreement, first disclosed in November 2025, included a $400 million package in cash and equity. As part of the termination, Snap revised its guidance to exclude any expected revenue contribution from the deal.

Integration Plans And Broader Rollout Challenges

Integration of conversational AI search was intended to expand how users interact with content within Snapchat, enabling real-time responses inside chat. Testing had begun with a limited group of users, but a broader rollout had not been finalised. The termination reflects challenges in aligning product strategy and deployment timelines for AI features within large-scale consumer platforms.

Solid User Growth And Financial Momentum

Despite the cancellation, Snap reported continued growth across key metrics. Global daily active users increased 5% year-on-year to 483 million, while monthly active users rose 5% to 965 million. Growth was supported by product updates, including features such as Snap Map and augmented reality Lenses. Evan Spiegel said the company is focused on improving revenue performance and free cash flow alongside user growth.

Investment in Innovation and Workforce Restructuring

Looking ahead, Snap Inc. continues to invest in long-term product development, including intelligent eyewear and related technologies, with further details expected at the AWE event on June 16. At the same time, these investments follow a broader restructuring effort. The company reduced approximately 16% of its global workforce, a move linked in part to increased use of automation and AI tools across its operations. The combination of continued product investment and workforce adjustments reflects how the company is reallocating resources while integrating AI into its development and operating model.

A New Twitter-Inspired Social Network Is Taking Shape

A new social network called Twitter.now is entering the market, with a founding team that includes former Twitter trademark counsel Stephen Coates. The service is being developed by startup Operation Bluebird.

As Ars Technica reported, X sued the company last year and asked a Delaware judge to block the launch. Operation Bluebird argued in a petition that X had abandoned trademarks including “Twitter” and “Tweet.”

Coates has said the project is not an attempt to recreate the original Twitter. In a LinkedIn post, he described the platform as a new public space focused on trust, transparency and user choice.

AI System To Rate Posts

Twitter.now is currently being tested, with early access priced at $20. Its main feature is VERA, an AI system designed to evaluate posts, verify claims and provide sources and context.

Posts receive a trust score, with users eventually able to set a minimum score to filter their feeds. The company says this approach will give people more control over what they see instead of leaving those decisions entirely to an algorithm.

Moderation Remains A Challenge

Scaling moderation will be one of the platform’s biggest tests. Social networks have repeatedly struggled with content moderation as their communities grow, and newer platforms such as Bluesky have faced similar criticism.

Operation Bluebird says VERA will form the basis of its moderation and verification system. A second version is already planned, with expanded tools that would let users set a specific trust threshold for the posts appearing in their feeds.

For now, Twitter.now remains in an early testing phase, combining the familiarity of the Twitter name with an AI-driven approach to evaluating online information.

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