Website analytics company StatCounter reports that Google’s browser, Chrome, has taken a lead over Firefox in global market browser share for the first time. The reported numbers — Chrome at 25.69% market share and Firefox at 25.23% market share — only give Chrome a slight lead, literally a fraction of a percent, but I’m sure the folks at Google are happy to note that it is a lead nonetheless. Somewhat depressingly, StatCounter also reports that Internet Explorer still has the majority of global market browser share, with 40.63% of the browser market firmly in its grasp.
Aodhan Cullen, CEO of StatCounter, explains that their stats measure actual browser usage, rather than simply downloads:
“Our stats measure actual browser usage, not downloads, so while Chrome has been highly effective in ensuring downloads our stats show that people are actually using it to access the web also.”
According to StatCounter, browser market share is a little different in the U.S.. Internet Explorer leads with a 50.66% market share, Firefox still has a hold on its second place position with 20.09%, Chrome is sitting in third at 17.3%, while Safari is bringing up the rear with a 10.76% share.
It is always interesting to note browser shares, so you can compare your browser loyalty with the rest of the world’s, but in the end, it’s always a little depressing to see Internet Explorer continuing to reign supreme.
(via StatCounter)
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