( Mashable ) -- Internet Explorer can no longer claim more than half of the web 's traffic , as of October , ending more than a decade of the default Microsoft browser 's reign . Safari 's hold on 62.17 % of mobile traffic has reduced IE 's overall share of web browsing , despite still claiming 52.63 % of desktop traffic , according to Netmarketshare.com . The Microsoft browser 's diminishing share ( 49.6 % ) reflects its near absence from the realms of mobile and tablet , which now make up 6 % of web traffic . However , chances are , you gave up on IE long enough ago that this milestone makes you more curious as to who actually still uses the browser . As of October , Firefox is the second most popular web browser , accounting for 21.20 % of traffic , followed by Google Chrome and Safari , which account for 16.60 % and 8.72 % respectively . Chrome , which recently celebrated its third birthday , experienced the most expansion in October , increasing its share of the desktop market 1.42 % . Safari , the default browser in Apple 's iPhone and iPad , continues to increase its dominance over the mobile web , gaining 6.58 % of the market . Safari 's share is increasing faster than the iPhone 's , probably due to how much mobile traffic is now driven by iPads . As IE loses its edge on the competition , we 're curious to know which browser our readers prefer . Tell us in the comments below . See the original article on Mashable.com . © 2011 MASHABLE.com . All rights reserved .
Google 's hold on 50 % of mobile traffic has reduced IE 's overall share . Microsoft Windows 's overall share ( 49.6 % ) reflects mobile usage . As of 2017 , Firefox is the second most popular web browser .