Microsoft imposes a survey on Internet users who try to download Google Chrome

Microsoft is introducing a new method to encourage its users to prefer Edge to Google Chrome. If you try to download it from the Microsoft browser, a survey will be triggered.

We cannot say that Microsoft has been idle this year. A lot of effort has gone into keeping the Edge browser at the forefront of innovation. Between the introduction of Copilot AI this summer, the desire for it to be as customizable as possible on Windows 11, or even the integration of Teams, the list of new features is very long. Despite everything, Google Chrome maintains the monopoly and remains in first place among the most used browsers in the world with 64.8% of market share. To win back the hearts of users, Microsoft has developed a unique technique for anyone who dares to turn to Chrome.

An automatic survey: one tactic too many?

When using Windows 10 or 11, the default browser is logically Microsoft Edge. From now on, if you start downloading Google Chrome using it, a sidebar will bring up a questionnaire. This will ask you about the reasons which encourage you to want to change grocery stores. A question like this may arise:

“ Can you take a moment to tell us why you are trying a different browser? »

Among the answers, it is possible to choose between several options (non-exhaustive list), such as:

• There are too many ads and pop-ups
• The browser is too slow
• I don’t have access to my passwords or favorites
• My reason is not listed here

At first glance, this little survey may seem completely harmless, but we cannot remove its intrusive nature. Furthermore, this marketing tactic is far from isolated. Banners, advertisements and other unwanted pop-ups encouraging Internet users to keep Edge as their default browser are already numerous on the browser. A slightly forced additional information collection which could well have the opposite effect and frustrate users.

Between innovation and intrusion: the Microsoft paradox

The American giant is in a rather unique position this year after investing heavily in OpenAi. It therefore seems normal that the company wishes to maximize its revenues and its return on investment by acting to ensure that a large number of people turn to their services. This does not mean that we should accept these new commercial strategies, which could be explicitly described as unwelcome. The company is certainly innovating, but should this be to the detriment of the consumer experience?

The daily lot of Edge users is made up of constant suggestions, advertisements and pop-ups extolling the merits of new services offered by Microsoft. The impact of such a questionnaire could well come across as a suspicious, even aggressive, marketing maneuver. We all want a modern and seamless digital experience regardless of the service used. On the other hand, no one wants to be confronted with invasive behavior from the promoters of said services.

Source : TechRadar