There are probably a lot of glum faces at Firefox HQ right about now as new data suggests the browser’s popularity is fading fast.
In fact, analysts at Net Applications (via Computer World) estimate that less than 10 per cent of us will use the software this year.
Firefox currently accounts for 11.6 per cent of desktop traffic, but that’s set to dip below 10 per cent in June, and 8 per cent by October.
When you combine desktop and mobile usage, however, the current figure becomes a paltry 9.5 per cent.
The research also reveals that the browser has seen its share plummet by around 34 per cent in the last twelve months alone.
That’s due to fast-falling desktop usage and struggling mobile uptake, which has left Mozilla’s Firefox browser in its rivals’ dust.
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Firefox’s share is actually now at its lowest since July 2006 – that’s a mere two years after it initially launched.
Its seen tough competition from a number of rivals – Apple ships all of its iPhones and Mac computers with Safari, Microsoft has spent plenty of time revamping Internet Explorer for Windows, and Chrome is the go-to browser for Android devices.
Firefox does peddle its own operating system, Firefox OS, which boasts Firefox as the default browser, but it’s stagnant uptake means it has a negligible effect on user share.
Is this the beginning of Mozilla Firefox’s slow decline? Let us know in the comments…
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
