In order to be able to access the Internet, a browser is required in addition to a network connection. A lot has happened here in recent years, with the changes bringing with them both winners and losers. The Chrome browser from Google clearly belongs in the first category, because it has gradually secured sole dominance. After initial difficulties, however, Microsoft Edge can also be classified as a winner, because although it cannot hold a candle to Chrome at the moment, it has become increasingly popular with users. The decisive step was the change of the engine, to be more precise, the company discontinued its own substructure and switched to Chromium.
The developers of Firefox are not happy at all, because unfortunately the browser is the biggest loser. It all started with a success story. At the start of the 2000s, Firefox was the first browser that could stand up to the previously dominant Internet Explorer. Over time, even market shares have been taken away from him. The highlight of the whole thing was 2008, when Mozilla was able to announce a market share of over 50 percent in several countries. However, the curve then pointed downwards, and unfortunately this trend has continued to this day. So Firefox is in crisis and the future is extremely uncertain.
Blame Chrome
Google Chrome is responsible for the Firefox slide. Shortly before the Mozilla peak, Google introduced Chrome and nobody knew at the time how the browser would fare. First, Chrome and Firefox joined forces against Internet Explorer, which literally opposed a modern web. The attack was successful because Internet Explorer’s market share fell drastically. Chrome then took on Firefox, which it succeeded in doing primarily because of its surfing speed. Today Google has reached the top with its browser and a change of course is not in sight.
Missed the smartphone market
One reason for the declining success of Firefox is also due to the smartphone market. Mozilla missed this and indirectly gave way to Google and Apple. The two competitors have also better optimized the engine to run properly on weaker hardware. Mozilla’s Gecko finishes a lot worse. And once the train has left, it’s difficult to catch up.
Previous attempts have not been successful
Of course, the developers took measures to prevent a crisis. But all attempts have failed so far, which also means a new design. Various screws were tweaked, but in the end it didn’t convince the users. For some, this also has something to do with getting used to it, because you are reluctant to give up something that works.
Bound to Google
Many people don’t even know that Mozilla collects about 400 million US dollars from Google every year. This is because Google is the default search engine in Firefox. While dependency generally has a negative connotation, in this case long-term cooperation is not set in stone either. In the “best case” only the money will be less, in the worst case Google will end the deal.
Uncertain future
Mozilla laid off 250 employees in 2020. A step that was necessary from a financial point of view. But that’s exactly how it looks for the future, because it is anything but certain. The software manufacturer can make further attempts, go out of business or even consider changing the engine to Chromium. In any case, it remains exciting to see whether and how Firefox can save itself from the crisis.
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