IE Regains Market Share

Internet Explorer Gains .57% Globally in June

Microsoft Internet Explorer has experienced a long slow browser usage market share decline featuring challenges from Firefox on Windows, Safari on Mac OS, Opera in Europe and Asia, and recently Google Chrome has been making some noise.  But, Microsoft has been very transparent in their desires to ensure IE remains the dominant browser.  They have moved some of their most talented engineering and management talent to IE, have been releasing feature and security updates much more frequently, and finally have been advertising IE.

IE8, the currently available version, has become the most used browser version in the world, and has given users confidence that Microsoft is truly focused on optimizing the IE user experience.  Microsoft has also been very open with the development of IE9, due later this year and promising to deliver huge browser rendering speed improvements.

As reported by www.NetMarketShare.com May 2010 saw Internet Explorer reverse its trend in the U.S. and gain usage market share.  In June, the trend reversal has become global.  Internet Explorer gained .57% in June across all operating systems with Internet Explorer 8.0 gaining .86% (revised from .66% – see recent changes) globally.  The gains come primarily at the expense of Firefox (-.51%).  Chrome’s pace of usage share gains slowed to +.2% for June.

The gains for IE were the largest in Europe and Asia:
Internet Explorer in Europe: +.88%
Internet Explorer in Asia: +.81%

This increase may be the result of a marketing campaign.  In early June, Microsoft launched their “Confidence” campaign aimed at showing the security features of Internet Explorer 8.

The longer term challenge for IE may be less based on which browser a user chooses, but instead may be which type of device.  While Microsoft is currently focused on fighting off Firefox and Chrome, and seeing some positive results, the real challenge may come from the iPad with Safari built in.  Apple is the first company to make the tablet attractive to the masses.  Potential competitors will have to combine amazing hardware, easy to use OS, an application delivery model with tons of options, book reader, games, productivity, and at least one compelling reason for customers to not choose the iPad to be truly competitive.  Microsoft will probably have to see some success with the Windows Phone ecosystem before they can engage with tablets as well.  But, they can’t ignore this rapidly emerging market either.