Microsoft Edge Adds Yet Another Tactic to Stop You From Downloading Google Chrome

Microsoft has a new strategy to keep users on its Edge browser and prevent them from switching to Google Chrome. According to Windows Latest, when users search for “Google Chrome” on Bing while logged out of their Microsoft account, they are now presented with several obstacles.

First, a large banner appears promoting Microsoft Edge, stating, “There’s no need to download a new web browser.” Look closer, and you’ll see that Microsoft has added a blur effect below it that just happens to make the actual Chrome download link harder to locate. It’s now hidden behind a “See more” button. Hence, you’ll need an extra click to unfurl the text and access it.

This is nothing new, though Microsoft is known to follow a series of tactics to promote Edge and discourage the use of competing browsers, particularly Google Chrome.

Despite all this, Edge’s market share growth has remained slow. Microsoft’s strong advertising of its browser from within Windows has faced criticism from consumer groups and other browser makers. They are asking for more government oversight of Microsoft’s practices.

Microsoft argues that Edge offers a “fast, secure and modern web experience.” But critics view these methods as anti-competitive and misleading to consumers.