Google Chrome: Nearly 2 million US downloads in first week

by Brad Linder Sep 18th 2008

More than 1.9 million people visited the "thank you" page that pops up after you've downloaded and installed the Google Chrome web browser between September 1st and 7th, according to Nielsen. If that number doesn't sound impressive, let's put it another way: Almost 1.4% of everyone in the United States who went online at all during that week saw the thank you page. Not bad for a brand new web browser.

Of course, installing isn't necessarily the same as using. I'm fairly certain that a hefty number of people who installed Google Chrome were doing so just to check it out. Many probably played around with it for a few minutes and then ditched it to go back to Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, Safari, or whatever it is they used.

In other Chrome news, Google seems to have issued an update to the browser today. If you click the "about" button in the browser, a message will pop up telling you that an update is available. I have yet to find a changelog showing what's new in version 0.2.149.30. I'm guessing mostly bug fixes.

[via CNET]

Tags: google-chrome, nielsen

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Phil A. said 2:20PM on 9-18-2008

I used it up until today. I finally got fed up with some of its lacking. Annoying form submission error when hitting back button, new tabs are opened in the middle of other tabs instead of the end like firefox, and no flashblock extension like firefox (I hate hearing music/videos played automatically on a page).

Jamus said 2:20PM on 9-18-2008

~2Mill downloads, but still no compatibility with Symantec Endpoint it seems... I don't know who is to blame (Google or Symantec), but somebody needs to hurry up and blink first.

kingkool68 said 2:23PM on 9-18-2008

I use both FF3 and Chrome every day. FF3 for web dev work and opening links from e-mail/Tweetdeck and Chrome for GMail, RSS feeds and other non-work activities.

brian.rettie said 2:29PM on 9-18-2008

A update box didn't appear when I went to the 'About' dialog

JK said 3:44PM on 9-18-2008

Whoa, mine was already on this new version despite the fact that I didn't update it. Downloaded the 1st day, so unless v.0.2.149.30 was always there, something upgraded itself...

KellerMaverick said 3:44PM on 9-18-2008

Chrome has become my #1 browser at home -- it is quick on the web apps I utilize most, does not balk at the vast majority of sites, and is the most stable browser I have used in 15 years of surfing.

I only use Firefox to stumble...and IE to access intranet sites at work.

kojo87 said 3:44PM on 9-18-2008

i installed it and i think i used it about half a dozen times. just not for me. when they get extensions i might give it another look. until then im sticking with Firefox

Stefan Hayden said 4:32PM on 9-18-2008

Release notes are here: http://groups.google.com/group/chromium-announce/browse_thread/thread/886cd07cbbc1b4cf

it is just some bug fixes.

Part of the whole point of Chrome is the Auto-Update to keep the browser upto date and not fall in to the trap of people using old buggy versions without the newer features. These are the things google is fighting against to make the best web apps.

Night Owl said 9:19AM on 9-19-2008

@Stefan Hayden:

The link you provided just shows release notes for the previous build 0.2.149.29. I found the release notes for 0.2.149.30 here:

http://groups.google.com/group/chromium-announce/browse_thread/thread/831790607dd10472/bb8c0c1218e577b4?lnk=gst&q=0.2.149.30#bb8c0c1218e577b4

ferrum mann said 9:20AM on 9-19-2008

The day Chrome came out, many Google plug-ins in my IE7 just stopped working or were just erratic. Even the default Dell homepage with many widgets picked from the Google Desktop sidebar are loading something like just 60% of the total. I'm planning on uninstalling everything Google including the toolbar, sidebar, desktop, Google Earth and the default Dell/Google homepage and won't install Chrome ever.

Jash Sayani said 9:20AM on 9-19-2008

Chrome is one of the best browsers. Its really quick. Waiting for a Mac version.

Brice Beach said 9:20AM on 9-19-2008

have been using chrome since day one, puts i/e & firefox in the dust. I love the speed and the tabs that you can move (when going from page to page, put them next to each other-don't have to close out tabs-just move them) has some glitches, but I'm sure Google will work them out.

idiot said 10:57AM on 9-19-2008

but can i scroll up now????

Nicholas Heys said 12:53PM on 9-29-2008

I am also a serial user of Firefox, which is so much faster. I use Mcafee site advisor on both IE7 and Firefox 2 - not 3 as Mcafee doesn't work on it. My main point is that I wish to add programme toolbars, also want Norton for security with phishing and the identity safe log in. I cannot work without the classic menu with file, view, play, tools and help etc

Nicholas Heys said 4:45PM on 9-29-2008

Been on Google Chrome again for a few hours & trying to find out various setting that can be changed or attained easily. The last time I commented, a few hours ago I hadn't really "USED" chrome, as I installed it yesterday. I find it very fast, probably a touch faster than firefox, & hasn't crashed at all where as firefox was crashing every 5 to 10 minutes. I have hunted high and low to try & get toolbars that will run on Google Chrome. The only way for me to get to all of my e-mail accounts is to navigate to the desired item and then save as a favourite and so on. The only drawbacks for me are the lack of the classic menu, site advisor not being there and Norton live with Identity safe with Phishing protection

zahi said 7:26AM on 11-04-2008

Google is updating these changes very rapidly
Now div issue fixed in new browser.

here is similar article.

http://www.zahipedia.com/2008/11/03/updates-for-google-chrome-ubuntu-os/

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