Chrome
A web browser developed by Google, also mentioned as a potential target for a spin-off in the DOJ's breakup considerations. It was created to ensure access to Google search was not blocked by competitors like Internet Explorer.
entitydetail.created_at
8/20/2025, 4:32:16 AM
entitydetail.last_updated
8/26/2025, 6:01:54 AM
entitydetail.research_retrieved
8/20/2025, 4:34:41 AM
Summary
Google Chrome is a widely used web browser developed by Google, initially launched in 2008 for Microsoft Windows. It was built using components from Apple WebKit and Mozilla Firefox, later expanding its availability to Linux, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and Android, where it serves as the default browser. Chrome is also a fundamental part of ChromeOS, acting as the platform for web applications. While most of its source code originates from Google's open-source Chromium project, Chrome itself is proprietary freeware. After initially utilizing WebKit as its rendering engine, Google developed the Blink engine, which all Chrome variants except for iOS have employed since 2017. As of April 2024, Chrome commands an estimated 65% worldwide browser market share across all platforms, solidifying its position as the most used web browser globally. Its commercial success was significantly driven by Google's co-founders, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, who prioritized its development. The "Chrome" brand has since been extended to other Google products, including ChromeOS, Chromecast, Chromebook, Chromebit, Chromebox, and Chromebase. Notably, Chrome is a key asset in an ongoing antitrust lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice against Google, a legal challenge that could potentially lead to a forced breakup of Google's assets.
Referenced in 2 Documents
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
License
Proprietary freeware
Developer
Google
Legal Status
Key asset in DOJ antitrust lawsuit against Google
Initial Platform
Microsoft Windows
Peak Market Share
72.38%
Default Browser On
Android
Source Code Origin
Chromium (Google's open-source project)
Initial Release Year
2008
Peak Market Share Date
November 2018
Related Brand Products
ChromeOS, Chromecast, Chromebook, Chromebit, Chromebox, Chromebase
Original Rendering Engine
WebKit
Blink Engine Adoption Year
2017
Key Business Priority Driven By
Sergey Brin and Larry Page
Current Rendering Engine (except iOS)
Blink
Worldwide Browser Market Share (April 2024)
65%
Timeline
- Google Chrome was first released for Microsoft Windows. (Source: summary, wikipedia)
2008
- All Chrome variants, except for iOS, began using the Blink rendering engine. (Source: summary, wikipedia)
2017
- Chrome reached its peak worldwide browser market share of 72.38%. (Source: wikipedia)
2018-11
- Chrome held an estimated 65% worldwide browser market share, making it the most used web browser globally. (Source: summary, wikipedia)
2024-04
- Chrome is a key asset in an antitrust lawsuit filed by the DOJ against Google, which could potentially lead to a forced breakup of Google's assets. (Source: summary, related_documents)
Ongoing
Wikipedia
View on WikipediaGoogle Chrome
Google Chrome is a web browser developed by Google. It was first released in 2008 for Microsoft Windows, built with free software components from Apple WebKit and Mozilla Firefox. Versions were later released for Linux, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and also for Android, where it is the default browser. The browser is also the main component of ChromeOS, where it serves as the platform for web applications. Most of Chrome's source code comes from Google's free and open-source software project Chromium, but Chrome is licensed as proprietary freeware. WebKit was the original rendering engine, but Google eventually forked it to create the Blink engine; all Chrome variants except iOS used Blink as of 2017. As of April 2024, StatCounter estimates that Chrome has a 65% worldwide browser market share (after peaking at 72.38% in November 2018) on personal computers (PC), is most used on tablets (having surpassed Safari), and is also dominant on smartphones. With a market share of 65% across all platforms combined, Chrome is the most used web browser in the world today. Google chief executive Eric Schmidt was previously involved in the "browser wars", a part of U.S. corporate history, and opposed the expansion of the company into such a new area. However, Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page spearheaded a software demonstration that pushed Schmidt into making Chrome a core business priority, which resulted in commercial success. Because of the proliferation of Chrome, Google has expanded the "Chrome" brand name to other products. These include not just ChromeOS but also Chromecast, Chromebook, Chromebit, Chromebox, and Chromebase.
Web Search Results
- The Fast & Secure Web Browser Built to be Yours
Chrome uses cutting-edge safety and security features to help you manage your safety. Use Safety Check to instantly audit for compromised passwords, safe browsing status and any available Chrome updates. Learn more about safety and security on Chrome. Take your browser with you -------------------------- Download Chrome on your mobile device or tablet and sign into your account for the same browser experience, everywhere. Get Chrome Download Chrome [...] Published Time: Tue, 05 Aug 2025 12:30:00 GMT Google Chrome - The Fast & Secure Web Browser Built to be Yours =============== Jump to content AI Innovations Safety By Google Extensions AI Innovations Safety By Google Extensions Get Chrome Download Chrome Fast AI Safe Yours By Google Download Explore Fast AI Safe Yours By Google Get Chrome Image 1: Google Chrome logo. The browser built to be f a s t s a f e y o u r s [...] Chromium ChromeOS Chrome Web Store Chrome Experiments Chrome Beta Chrome Dev Chrome Canary #### Support Chrome Help Update Chrome Chrome Tips Google Chrome Blog Privacy and Terms About Google Google Products Cookies management controls Help Change language or region Image 63: Google Chrome logo. Get Chrome for Windows ---------------------- For Windows 10 32-bit For Windows 11/10 64-bit For Windows 11 ARM For Windows XP/Vista
- Google Chrome Web Browser
Chrome uses cutting-edge safety and security features to help you manage your safety. Use Safety Check to instantly audit for compromised passwords, safe browsing status and any available Chrome updates. Learn more about safety and security on Chrome. Take your browser with you -------------------------- Download Chrome on your mobile device or tablet and sign into your account for the same browser experience, everywhere. Get Chrome Download Chrome [...] Published Time: Tue, 05 Aug 2025 12:30:00 GMT Google Chrome Web Browser =============== Jump to content AI Innovations Safety By Google Extensions AI Innovations Safety By Google Extensions Get Chrome Download Chrome Fast AI Safe Yours By Google Download Explore Fast AI Safe Yours By Google Get Chrome Image 1: Google Chrome logo. The Web Is What You Make of It ============================== Get Chrome Download Chrome [...] Chrome is compatible with devices that run Windows and Mac operating systems, provided they meet the minimum system requirements. In order to install Chrome and receive adequate support, you must meet the system requirements. Learn more about using Chrome on your device. ### How do I make Chrome my default browser?
- 9 Google Chrome features you really should be using
If you’re like about 70% of computer users worldwide, you use Google’s Chrome browser as your gateway to the web, from conducting research and catching up on news to emailing and interacting with cloud apps. There are several tools built into Chrome that you might not know about, but should. They can improve your browsing experience significantly, enhancing productivity, organization, security, search, and more. [...] Chrome’s tab groups feature lets you organize tabs of related web pages into a collection that has a title. When you click the group title, all the web pages that you organized under it will open in the browser. This can be useful if you want to open multiple web pages that you frequently visit with a single click. You can create several different tab groups — say, one group for the core web apps you use every day for work, another for research related to a specific project, and so on. [...] By default, Chrome automatically saves your usernames and passwords for websites that require a login in a service called Google Password Manager. If you don’t use a dedicated password manager app, GPM is a convenient tool for storing and managing login info. (See our separate guide to Google Password Manager.) It’s easy to “set and forget” passwords, so it’s a good idea to periodically check the health of your logins, updating usernames or passwords as needed.
- Browser Features and Tools - Google Chrome
#### Features that work for you Chrome supports screen readers and magnifiers and offers full-page zoom, high-contrast color, AI image descriptions, live captioning, keyboard browsing, and more — making it easier than ever to surf the web in a way that works for you. The Google homepage and a pop-up with Zoom set to 100% The Google homepage with enlarged elements and a pop-up with Zoom set to 175% ## Your media, your way, on any screen A concert video is put into picture-in-picture mode. [...] Learn about the latest release coming to Chrome. Best of all, you get these features every time with automatic updates. A blue split-tone shield with a G in the middle. ### Chrome Safety Make the most of your browsing experience, while Google Chrome's privacy and security features keep you safe from malware and dangerous sites. ## Take your browser with you Download Chrome on your mobile device or tablet and sign into your account for the same browser experience, everywhere. [...] Make the most of your browsing experience, while Google Chrome's privacy and security features keep you safe from malware and dangerous sites. Settings to customize a theme in Chrome are shown. ### AI Innovations These experimental AI features help you organize your tabs, create custom themes and write on the web. The Chrome ball logo on a yellow background. ### What’s New
- Download and install Google Chrome - Computer
1 of 10 Download and install Google Chrome 2 of 10 Create or manage your Google Account in Chrome 3 of 10 Sign in and sync in Chrome 4 of 10 Make Chrome your default browser 5 of 10 Use Chrome at home 6 of 10 Sign out of Chrome 7 of 10 Check location info & directions in Chrome 8 of 10 Use Chrome Actions to learn more about locations 9 of 10 About search engine choice screens in Chrome 10 of 10 Set up Chrome for iPhone or iPad Image 3 [...] You can download and install the Chrome web browser at no charge, and use it to browse the web. How to install Chrome --------------------- Important: Before you download, you can check if Chrome supports your operating system and other system requirements. Windows 1. On your computer, download the installation file. 2. To install the file, follow the on-screen instructions. If you get the message "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device," select Yes.
Wikidata
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DBPedia
View on DBPediaLocation Data
Chrome, Carteret, Middlesex County, New Jersey, 07008, United States
Coordinates: 40.5764933, -74.2162558
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