Hot Take Firefox shares roadmap as it loses users at an alarming rate

[Parkinsond]

Mozilla's latest Firefox overhaul promises everything from built-in VPNs to AI-powered tools, yet the browser continues to lose users at an alarming rate. The question is no longer whether Firefox can innovate, but whether anyone is still paying attention.

According to Statcounter data, Firefox's desktop market share fell from 5.88% in May 2025 to 3.79% in May 2026. Mozilla’s demise, however, stretches back longer than that. Comparatively, Google Chrome currently has just over 90% of the global market share.

https://cybernews.com/tech/firefox-google-chrome-browser-chromium/

"they are not abandoning firefox cz of addition of new features, they are abandoning it cz there are currently number of issues, and firefox instead of fixing them is making redesigns and adding features. While the bugs and issues should be the first priority"

 

[Marko :)]

The problem isn't Firefox lacking of features. The real problem is Mozilla doesn't advertise Firefox anywhere so people don't know it exists. Back in 2000s, everyone knew what Firefox was. Ask any teenager today what is Firefox and chances are they won't know.

And this is exactly Mozilla's problem. Google is still pushing Chrome on all fronts, so is Microsoft Edge. But Mozilla? They just rely on spreading the word and it isn't going well for them at the moment.

It can be the perfect web browser, but with no marketing it will hardly be used by anyone.

 

[Deletedmessiah]

Only makes google bolder with crippling adblockers more.

 

[Wrecker4923]

The real problem is Mozilla doesn't advertise Firefox anywhere so people don't know it exists.

Speaking of the devil, here's what I found in my Google feed:

 

[Marko :)]

Speaking of the devil, here's what I found in my Google feed:

View attachment 298297

Okay.... now compare this to aggressive Google's Chrome ad campaign. Browser literally came preinstalled with devices and bundled with software installation packages. Even if you didn't want it, you still got it somehow.

 

[Zero Knowledge]

OK it's a dead man walking, but I still think we need a good alternative to Chrome. Linux & TOR will probably keep Mozilla alive for now.

Giving Google complete control over the browser ecosystem is terrible, Google who often doesn't respect users config and privacy decisions mind you..

 

[monkeylove]

I don't think they can talk about ad blocking because that would go against their main funders, including Google. That means they can only talk about ease-of-use for containers and customization, including doing things as simple as putting whatever tool icons one wants to place, using the bookmark bar as toolbar, showing the main menu, etc.

The hard part's making things like syncing more functional, e.g., making it two-way. Also, backing up containers without using syncing, etc.

 

[Parkinsond]

OK it's a dead man walking, but I still think we need a good alternative to Chrome. Linux & TOR will probably keep Mozilla alive for now.

Giving Google complete control over the browser ecosystem is terrible, Google who often doesn't respect users config and privacy decisions mind you..

There is a new engine for a browser called "Ladybird" is under development; it is for MacOS but it may extend to Windows.

 

[n8chavez]

There is a new engine for a browser called "Ladybird" is under development; it is for MacOS but it may extend to Windows.

It WILL (eventually be available on Windows). From their FAQ:

Will Ladybird work on Windows? Our CI already builds and tests the JavaScript engine on Windows. Full browser engine support on Windows will follow in time.

Our full-time engineers are currently focused on macOS and Linux, with Windows support planned for a later stage of the project.

 

[Marko :)]

I don't think they can talk about ad blocking because that would go against their main funders, including Google.

They absolutely can talk about ad blocking and even Mozilla's CEO said ad blocker is coming to Firefox with EasyList and EasyPrivacy filters. I don't know where this conspiracy theory that Mozilla can't add ad blocker or promote ad blocking came from, but it's completely false.

Beside, Google doesn't pay Mozilla out of a goodwill. They pay Mozilla because they have to, otherwise there would be no competiton to Chrome if Mozilla stopped developing Firefox. And that would cost Google far more than their payments to Mozilla.

There is a new engine for a browser called "Ladybird" is under development; it is for MacOS but it may extend to Windows.

Don't expect Ladybird for Windows before 2029/2030. We're in the middle of 2026 and alpha version for Linux and macOS is yet to come.

Beside, having Ladybird won't change anything. Chrome will still be the most used web browser and no one can change that.