Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas says these two Google apps are ‘impossible’ to beat

Aravind Srinivas

Trying to take on Google is never easy, but according to Aravind Srinivas, CEO of AI search startup Perplexity, two Google apps are in a league of their own: YouTube and Google Maps. In a candid tweet this week, he called them “the hardest. Maybe even impossible” to beat, though he suggested other parts of Google’s empire could be challenged by scrappy startups.

Srinivas’ comments came after he quoted a viral post from engineer Abhinav Jain, who bluntly stated, “there is no way any start-up can beat the Google ecosystem.” Srinivas agreed—but he wanted to highlight why YouTube and Maps stand out.

YouTube isn’t just videos, It’s a massive network of creators, viewers, and algorithms that know your tastes better than your Netflix queue. With billions of hours watched daily and creators like MrBeast turning content into careers, building something comparable from scratch seems nearly impossible.

Google Maps, meanwhile, is more than directions. It combines real-time traffic data, user reviews, and street-level imagery sourced from millions of users worldwide. Srinivas agreed with others who called them “networks, not just products.” Years of data collection, feature development, and user trust make them extremely hard to replicate. Just look at Apple Maps’ rocky start—it took years to gain credibility.

Srinivas’ own startup, Perplexity AI, has made waves in the AI search space by providing answers that feel like chatting with a smart friend. Valued at over $1 billion, it’s making strides in search, but even he admits that Google’s moat is deep—except for YouTube and Maps. For other products like Gmail or Google Docs, he hinted, disruption is possible.

The tech community quickly reacted. Some joked about adding Google TV to the “impossible” list, while others highlighted local alternatives like MapmyIndia. Memes about YouTube’s data vault circulated, showing just how untouchable many consider these platforms.

For Srinivas, the message is clear: startups can innovate and find space, but taking on YouTube or Maps is a tall order. As AI and tech competition heats up, Google remains the 800-pound gorilla, with its two most powerful claws firmly in place.