Why Google Search Dropped IE11 Support and What It Means for Web Developers

Google software engineer Malte Ubl recently announced via a tweet that Google Search has ceased supporting Internet Explorer 11 (IE11) in its main product, a change he described as one of the most pleasing announcements for web developers.

Ubl explained that the decision resulted from weighing the costs of maintaining IE11 support against the benefits, indicating that Google has decided it is time to abandon IE11, at least for Search.

While "stop supporting" does not mean IE11 users are blocked from accessing Google Search, the experience is now degraded: basic search works, but the results page lacks the full functionality available in modern browsers, making it less attractive for users who cannot switch to Chrome, Edge, or Firefox.

Below are screenshots showing Google Search as rendered in IE11.

According to StatCounter, as of September 2021 IE browsers held just over 1% of the desktop market, while Chrome dominated with 67%. Although the share appears small, the absolute number of desktop devices using IE remains significant, especially for enterprises reliant on legacy applications.

With Google Search—one of the most important web applications—dropping IE11 support, more companies and developers are likely to follow suit, effectively marking the end of IE11's relevance on the broader internet.