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Google Chrome’s market share down to 1.5 percent

Written on 14th October 2008 10 COMMENTS
Ernst-Jan Pfauth, editor in chief

Interesting news about Chrome. Colin Barras, online technology reporter for Short Sharp Science, has been keeping an eye on the Global Marketshare Statistics of Clicky (the web analytics service we use, approve, and recommend). He noticed that the Google browser peaked when it was the talk of the town, with a 3.1% share. Yet since then it has dropped to 1.5%, sometimes even 1.4%.

Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (around 60%) and Mozilla Firefox (around 30%) caress their steady figures. Barras expects Google to “have a job on its hands if Chrome is ever to rival Firefox, let alone Internet Explorer”. He also notes that the Chrome download link disappeared of the minimalistic Google frontpage – for reasons unknown.

To me it all makes perfect sense.

Google launches a beta version of a browser.
People check it out.
Google has enough test users and takes the link off the frontpage.
The folks who love Chrome wait for a stable version and start using their old browsers again.
Some hardcore fans stay.
Google launches a new kick-ass version and resumes its quest for world domination.

Hat tip: Bright (Dutch only)

10 Comments »

About the author: Ernst-Jan is blogger and co-organizer of BLOG08, who previously worked in New York to cover news at the United Nations. Next to writing, he's also a singer in the band Christina Five. Follow him on Twitter or read his personal blog Dutchproblogger.com .

10 comments/trackbacks to “Google Chrome’s market share down to 1.5 percent”

Jan 1, 2009: tech news story of 2008 – Apple iPhone App store : Kevin Restivo’s Tech Blog
[...] There’s the obvious (the explosive growth of social networks such as Twitter and Facebook) to the stories that didn’t happen (Microsoft Corp.’s proposed US$44-billion takeover of Yahoo Inc.) to the fascinating but ultimately underwhelming product releases (Google’s Chrome browser). [...]

By Jamie Riddell on Oct 14, 2008

Spot on summary, thanks.

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By Sean on Oct 14, 2008

Like many people, I like Chrome, but just can’t live without the addons that Firefox gives me. Google says they plan to add that capability in, and once they do, I think it will gain a lot more traction. When it comes down to just the browser itself, Chrome gives a great experience I think. Nice and fast, and I love that each tab is its own process. I love FF but definitely look forward to the next major version of Chrome.

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By Witold Rugowski on Oct 14, 2008

For me Chrome become part of my web developer toolbox – I’m using it on JavaScript applications – it is fast, and with my old notebook I feel the difference ;))

But will have for some time still first place – when extensions for Chrome will have similar functionality I will switch browsers…

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By Ansgar-John on Oct 14, 2008

Flash ( Youtube etc ) keeps crashing in Chrome on my computer. Otherwise a great browser.

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By Ernst-Jan Pfauth on October 14th, 2008:
that sucks, I watch at least five videos a day, don’t wanna switch browsers for that. Oh well, they probably got that fixed as soon as they launch the Mac version.

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By Ernst-Jan Pfauth on Oct 14, 2008

So I guess it’s fair to say add-on possibilities is an important Firefox USP? But if that difference disappears, Chrome is the browser to use?

Personally I have this anti-Google sentiment, meaning I don’t want to use the products of just one company. I like to stay with Mozilla, just for the diversity.

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By Witold Rugowski on October 14th, 2008:
Yes, addons are USP. For me, as web developer it is Firebug, WebDeveloper and few smaller ones.

As ‘normal’ web user – AdBlock ;) especially for sites in .pl domains where ads are very intrusive (comparing to what I see on sites in .com).

For Chrome USP for me is it’s speed – JavaScript speed – using it with some more complicated app like custom apps on Google Maps on slower computer let You feel the difference ;)

But. I think that there is huge opportunity for Mozilla folks – if they will adopt Chrome’s JS engine they can fight with Chrome… Poor folks in IE team ;)))

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By Robin Wauters on Oct 14, 2008

I started using Chrome and still use it for 90% of the time. I only switch to Firefox for specific reasons or if I need to use plug-ins for something. And I’m what you could call a power web user.

It’s the speed and the lack of hick-ups that do it for me, and I can’t wait what Google has in store for the future.

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By movie fan on Nov 22, 2008

I hesitate to use even upgraded versions of Chrome, since my last experience using it (first version) left my computer compromised; have they fixed the security issues beyond all doubt?

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