Well said. It also wasn't worse in any way. It was strictly better.

Firefox is definitely better than Chrome in some ways, but it is also worse in others. Notably performance and integration with Google's password manager.

They switched because Google bundled invisible Chrome installers in other software that would not only make its browser the default, but also invisibly steal IE clicks.

A move that was widely celebrated at the time.

I remember it being IE -> Firefox -> Chrome.

From where I was sitting, Firefox grew from word of mouth. Friends old friends, or simply installed it for them and said “trust me”. And people were shamed for using IE.

Over time Firefox started to feel more bloated, and Chrome was new, lean, and fast.

Chrome then went through its own bloat phase, and now this.

Browser monopolies have toppled before, through various means. I see no reason why it can’t happen again. Currently Apple is pretty much single handedly keeping Google from having total control, by only allowing WebKit on iOS.

I have a feeling people would be more likely to switch to a new player than to run back to an old one they left once before.