Since Windows introduced a browser ballot at the start of March, GfK Technology research shows that Internet Explorer has lost market share in the UK. Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox have been the main beneficiaries of this new EU enforced regulation.

It was inevitable that Internet Explorer would lose some of its market share when its users were offered alternative browsers at the start of March. The EU thought it was essential that consumers should be offered a choice of browser, to stimulate competition in the browser market.

Early data suggests that when faced with an option, UK consumers have opted for an alternative browser. As we approach the end of March we can see that since the beginning of the month Internet Explorer’s market share in the UK has dropped 5%, with Google Chrome and Firefox each gaining an additional 3% market share.

We will continue to track the developments of internet browser usage over the course of the year so check back for more data and analysis over the next few months. If you’re interested, GfK Technology has been tracking consumer usage of internet browsers since the start of 2009 and we have created a shared Google document with our latest data

How we collect the data

Each month GfK NOP conduct a UK based online survey among UK adults aged 16 and over. The sample is representative of UK adults who use the internet ten hours or more per month. It is important to note that we do not ask the question directly, instead, our servers determine the respondent’s browser used to complete the survey. This data is therefore more robust than stated survey data as it is based on actual usage.

Monthly sample sizes were as follows; February (n=1231) and March (n=1226)

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Tags: Apple, Chrome, Consumer, EU, Firefox, , Internet Browser, Internet Explorer, Market Share, Microsoft, Mozilla, Opera, Regulation, Safari, Usage, Windows