Mozilla Foundation is Reinventing Firefox Browser to Challenge Google Chrome and Apple Safari

In recent years, Landian.news has mentioned that the Firefox browser was being marginalized by the Mozilla Foundation, meaning it was being maintained as is rather than actively invested in. This situation could easily lead to the complete downfall of Firefox, as its market share continues to decline.

However, in February 2024, with Mitchell Baker, a former Netscape member and Mozilla founder, stepping down as CEO (but remaining as chairman), Laura Chambers was appointed as the interim CEO of the Mozilla Foundation. Unlike Baker, Chambers aims to get Firefox back on track.

In an interview, Laura Chambers revealed that after years of underperformance, the Mozilla Foundation is reinvesting in Firefox, hoping to reposition it as an independent alternative to browsers like Google Chrome and Apple Safari.

Chambers acknowledged that the Foundation had neglected Firefox in recent years as it sought opportunities outside the browser business, such as offering VPN services and the Firefox Relay virtual email service.

After becoming the interim CEO in February, Chambers has scaled back other business ventures to refocus on Firefox, signaling the Mozilla Foundation's renewed interest in the browser.

"Firefox is our core product and an essential part of our business, but we also see it as a vital part of the internet," Chambers said.

Firefox is now incorporating more community-requested features, such as experimenting with vertical tabs in June and developing tab grouping and simpler user profile switching.

Mozilla is also revisiting the concept of web applications, allowing users to install websites as desktop applications—a departure from years ago when Firefox abandoned the development of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), disappointing many users.

By listening to community feedback and adding popular and practical features, Firefox aims to retain existing users and attract new ones. Chambers stated, "We haven't always prioritized these features, but now we're truly embracing community suggestions."

Additionally, Firefox is striving to reduce its dependence on Google, as its primary revenue comes from Google's ad share for making Google the default search engine. In 2022, nearly 86% of Mozilla's revenue came from Google, which paid $510 million to be Firefox's default search engine.

Firefox is testing new ad measurement tools that protect user privacy better than traditional cookies and Chrome's privacy sandbox, although there are concerns about tracking.

Chambers admitted that building an ad tech business could help reduce reliance on Google, with the Foundation aiming to balance ad networks and user privacy protection.

Mozilla plans to launch new products outside of Firefox in "design sprint" mode, exploring feasible business ventures, including AI trials in Firefox.

Finally, the Foundation expects to increase marketing efforts for Firefox in the US market soon, investing more in promoting the browser to attract more users.