Google Chrome has surpassed Internet Explorer as the most popular Internet browser in the United States. This doubled up last year's numbers, which showed that Google Chrome overtook Internet Explorer as the most popular browser to non-U.S. websites.
A new research survey showed Google Chrome ahead of Internet Explorer in terms of the number of visits to U.S.-based websites on both personal computers and mobile devices. Analysts believe that its popularity was boosted by its marked increases in market share in both mobile and desktop browsers.
Google Chrome had 31.8 percent share of the market compared to Internet Explorer's 30.9 percent. Last year, Google Chrome, with a 26 percent share, trailed Internet Explorer, which had 37 percent. Google Chrome, in other words, improved its performance this year while Internet Explorer's performance declined.
"Control of the browser gives Google an even greater role in consumers' lives," said Tamara Gaffney, principal analyst at ADI in the report. "Not only do the Chrome and Android browsers both default to Google search, but with their Gmail and Google+ extensions, consumers are spending more and more time signed into Google's ecosystem."
Surprisingly, more people use Internet Explorer on their desktops, while more people use Safari on their mobile devices. Google dominated the browser market while Internet Explorer weakened in the mobile market, and Safari fared badly in the desktop market. By increasing its hold in both mobile and desktop devices, the search engine giant managed to stay on top overall even while not dominating either the mobile or the desktop market, the Wall Street Journal reported.
This development was expected to boost Google's cash-rich core advertising business and help the company with its obligations to Apple and Mozilla. Apple directs traffic to Google while Mozilla's Firefox is the default search engine for Google.
Being the most popular browser on both desktop and mobile devices likewise allowed Google to cash in on its lucrative search ads business. Chrome allows users simply to type in keywords, and they are immediately directed to the search results page. Often, the first link users see is a paid ad.
The development was also expected to benefit advertisers on Google. Chrome browsers often sign in while browsing allowing Google to track users across devices. Providing advertisers this kind of information would help them reach their customers best, adding value to their Google ads.
