Is it still true you can't do extensions for Chrome on Android? If so, they should just do a commercial showing you can use uBlock Origin with it. That could get a good chunk to move on Android and if they use it there they might switch on desktop too.

Definitely. This is exactly the reason I switched from Chrome ro Firefox. I mean, when I'm on mobile it's even more important than on desktop that I have my adblocker in place, as both bandwidth and screen estate are more limited.

Most people, aka normal users, don't care for extensions other than themes, if at all.

So I doubt it would get any new users other than geek folk.

I'm not talking about showing off extension support, just ad blocking. I hate extensions myself, I wish content blocking with white listing was just built right into the browser which is that last real feature any browser needs. Once people get a few weeks with a good ad blocker they won't ever go back. After that, if they use a browser without it, they'll think they have a virus.

> Chrome has much more marketing behind it.

Allow me to be more specific.

Chrome is an adware that is distributed by Google. It is bundled with most of Google products and a huge amount of software setup, because Google pays publishers some pennies for every new installation.

I have seen a lot of people who have had Chrome installed without knowing it, some of which transitioned without being aware of it simply because Chrome replaced the default browser and imported all settings. For the non tech savvy folks, it basically came down to "the Internet icon changed" .

> Chrome is an adware that is distributed by Google. It is bundled with most of Google products and a huge amount of software setup, because Google pays publishers some pennies for every new installation.

On top of that gmail/google users receive email SPAM about installing Chrome each time they log into a new computer.

https://www.reddit.com/r/firefox/comments/5srruc/every_time_...

You never asked for it and can't opt out. They've basically crossed the line where they can't be discerned from regular email spammers. All in the name of killing all non-Google browsers.

> Chrome is an adware that is distributed by Google

I don't really disagree. They push it in a lot of ways that Mozilla isn't shady-enough to do (thank you, Mozilla). But whatever you call it, Chrome's tactics work.

Everything you said is true. However,

> And most people don't care about avoiding Google.

...if that changes, everything changes. Thats the same thing with Signal and WhatsApp. I am positively surprised how easy it is to convert people to Signal and the momentum they are gaining.

Maybe they are betting on the very long term? Tbh, I would expect a more focused marketing from Mozilla if that would be the case. I am almost as much confused as you are.

> ...if that changes, everything changes.

That's a big "if". How likely is it to change? If history shows anything, not very. Don't get me wrong, I strongly hope they can knock Google off the top spot. But hope doesn't ship units.

Exactly, that's why they should direct their (still huge) funds to create more awareness.