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Microsoft Corp.

Microsoft Takes Lead in Browser War with Netscape

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Microsoft Internet Explorer has surpassed Netscape Navigator as the dominant web browser, according to recent statistics from AdKnowledge. As of November, Explorer users accounted for 49.5 percent of the browser market, while Navigator users accounted for 45 percent. This marks a significant shift in the browser war, with Explorer's market share increasing steadily from 36 percent in January 1998 to 49.5 percent last month. Navigator's share has declined from 62 percent in January 1998 to 45 percent last month. The trend suggests that Microsoft has taken the lead in the browser war, but ad designers still need to consider both browsers.

Key Takeaways:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer surpassed Netscape Navigator as the dominant web browser in November 1998, with 49.5 percent market share compared to Navigator's 45 percent.
  • Explorer's market share increased from 36 percent in January 1998 to 49.5 percent last month, while Navigator's share declined from 62 percent in January 1998 to 45 percent last month.
  • The trend suggests that Microsoft has taken the lead in the browser war, but ad designers still need to consider both browsers.
  • AdKnowledge's browser data was derived from a daily sample taken last month of nearly 15 million ads served by the AdKnowledge System across more than 1,000 leading web sites.
  • Netscape's share has steadily declined since January 1997, from nearly 80 percent to 45 percent last month.
  • David Zinman, co-founder and director of product management for AdKnowledge, notes that the relative market share for both companies remains close, requiring ad designers to develop ads with both browsers in mind.

Statistics:

  • 49.5 percent: Microsoft Internet Explorer's market share as of November 1998.
  • 45 percent: Netscape Navigator's market share as of November 1998.
  • 62 percent: Netscape Navigator's market share in January 1998.
  • 36 percent: Microsoft Internet Explorer's market share in January 1998.
  • 15 million: Number of ads served by the AdKnowledge System across more than 1,000 leading web sites last month.
  • 1,000: Number of leading web sites that AdKnowledge's browser data was derived from.
  • 80 percent: Netscape's market share in January 1997.
  • 45 percent: Navigator's share last month.

Sources:

  • AdKnowledge, the Palo Alto, Calif., provider of end-to-end web advertising management products for agencies and marketers.
  • "David Zinman, co-founder and director of product management for AdKnowledge".

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