Google’s Chrome might surpass Mozilla’s Firefox to grab second spot after Microsoft's Internet Explorer in the list of the world’s most popular web browsers before the end of this year, Web browser tracking firm Statcounter predicted.

According to Statcounter, Chrome has been seeing impressive increase in its market share for the past two years, while Firefox’s market share has stagnated and even seen its market share steadily eroding.

Figures compiled by Statcounter shows that Chrome's worldwide market share in September 2011 was 23.6 per cent, while Firefox’s share was 26.8 per cen.

Microsoft's Internet Explorer has also been suffering erosion in market share for years now. But it is still the no. 1 web browser in popularity. Internet Explorer has 41.7 per cent share of the web browser market as of September.

Software outfit Mozilla has released several versions of Firefox to mend its reputation of being sluggish. But, Chrome is still believed to be leaner and faster that Firefox.

Microsoft also tried to maintain its dominance by rolling out Internet Explorer 9 earlier in 2011. But, its deteriorating reputation is also allowing rival web browsers like Chrome to pick up more users.

Analysts believe that Chrome’s increasing popularity could also put Microsoft's dominance in the web browser market under threat by the end of next year.