Chrome, the internet browser from Google, has increased its share of the market according to new research published today.

Data released by California-based Net Applications, shows that by the end of January, Chrome’s share of the browser market rose to 5.2 per cent, up from 4.6 per cent at the end of December.

Chrome was already beating Apple’s Safari browser, which currently stands in fourth place with a 4.51 per cent share.

January saw Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, the world’s most popular browser for surfing the internet, lose just over half a per cent, ending the month with a 62.2 per cent share.

Mozilla’s Firefox browser, the second most popular programme next to Internet Explorer, also lost out in January, falling 0.2 per cent to 24.4 per cent.