Introduction
Microsoft Edge is the company's most recent web browser. First released as a proprietary browser in 2015, it was later relaunched as a fork of the Chromium project in 2020. Microsoft's goal was to improve browser interoperability with websites and extensions while also increasing overall browser speed. Despite these efforts, Microsoft Edge remains less popular than Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. In this article, we'll look at Microsoft's latest Edge advertising campaign and how it affects browser market share.
Microsoft Edge as a Fork of Chromium
Microsoft Edge is based on the open-source Chromium project, which also powers Google Chrome. Edge's performance increased dramatically after it switched to Chromium in January 2020. As a result, some users are more ready to give Edge a try, while others are wary owing to the brand's relationship with Internet Explorer.
Microsoft's Effort to Boost Edge's Popularity
In an attempt to increase Microsoft Edge's market share, Microsoft has launched an aggressive ad campaign. The ads target users who are trying to download Google Chrome, displaying a banner at the top of the page that urges them to try Edge instead. These ads are not delivered through any normal ad networks but are injected into or on top of the particular web page the user is browsing. This has raised concerns about the use of such tactics and the potential for unwanted influence on users' behavior while browsing.
The Spooky Nature of Microsoft Edge's Ad Campaign
The ads generated by Microsoft Edge are quite spooky, as they can modify the settings in the user's browser and create confusion about where the content is being generated. The ad injected into the Chrome web store's page is particularly misleading, as it tells users that Edge can use extensions from other web stores. This can create confusion for users who don't know if the content being generated on the site is from the website they are browsing on or the browser itself.
Comparison with Google's Ad Practices
While Google also displays ads on its websites encouraging users to try Chrome, it is less spooky than Microsoft's Edge ad campaign. Google merely displays the ads on its own websites based on the user's browser agent. It doesn't inject content into the web page, and users can easily distinguish between the ad and the website's content.
Impact on the Browser Market Share
Despite Microsoft's efforts to promote Edge, it still ranks low in the browser market share. According to StatCounter, as of February 2023, Google Chrome has a 63.57% market share, followed by Safari at 19.84%, and Microsoft Edge at 6.52%. While Microsoft's ad campaign has helped to increase awareness of Edge, it has not significantly impacted the browser's market share.
Conclusion
Microsoft's ad campaign for Edge has been aggressive and spooked some users. While it has helped to increase awareness of Edge, it hasn't significantly impacted the browser's market share. Microsoft needs to focus on improving the browser's features and performance rather than relying on aggressive ad campaigns to attract users. In the end, users will decide which browser they prefer based on their own experience and preferences.