Kicking arse, taking names?

Chrome's the new kid in town. It's gaining popularity fast. To see just how fast, log in to Google Analytics.

As of yesterday (Sept. 4), Google added Chrome to its browser tracking category in Google Analytics. Prior to yesterday Chrome data was compiled with Firefox tracking records.

According to Google Analytics, 2.9 percent of MarketingVOX visitors arrived on a Chrome browser since its launch on Tuesday.

Tech-oriented sites have seen higher penetration among readers. Chrome has also seized market share from IE — at least on TechCrunch, observes Michael Arrington. Six percent of TechCrunch readers arrived on Chrome; at the same time, IE use dropped to 24 percent from nearly 31 percent. Firefox and Safari also gained percentage points.

Other tech sites reflect even higher use — like Search Engine Land, which claims 10 percent of visitors arrived on Chrome since its launch. Sites that reported on the browser's launch witnessed larger higher double-digit figures.

Meanwhile, consumer-oriented sites (retail, women-centric, sports) have mostly stayed below 1 percent, according to data from the publishers of Sphinn.

Google Analytics isn't the only site tracking Chrome's progress in the browser wars. Web startup GetClicky provided browser use data from about 45,000 websites worldwide. And as of today, Chrome use stands at 2.573 percent.

Analytics users should also note that users of Chrome's Incognito mode are counted as new visitors each time they visit a site, even if it is a repeat visit.

As Chrome — and its Incognito feature — gain popularity, admins can expect to see an increase in "unique visitors" to their websites, widening the disparity between ISP data logs, panel-based measurement, and Google Analytics records.