[PSA] Web Platform Telemetry
Johnny Stenback
Hey Chromium Developers,
tl;dr: For enabling better web platform telemetry, we are requesting everyone to add/map WebDXFeature use counters for all new web platform features going forward and for all features shipped since 2020 and contribute to feature definitions and WPT test mapping.
As briefly shared at BlinkOn 19 in early October this year, we're excited to announce a new initiative to improve the availability of web platform feature telemetry. This will help the entire community better understand how features we ship in Chromium based browsers are being adopted, ultimately leading to more informed decision-making and prioritization for all of us.
What’s needed?
Going forward, we request that all new web platform features include a WebDXFeature use counter, and we’re actively adding use counters for all features shipped in Chrome since 2020. This is similar to adding a WebFeature use counter and will help us track active usage of features. By incorporating these new use counters, you'll be directly contributing to the collective understanding of feature adoption across the web. We’re actively working on making this use counter data publicly available through both webstatus.dev and chromestatus.com late this year and early in 2025.
WebDXFeature use counters are a new type of use counters that provide insights into feature usage across all channels and platforms for Chrome installs in the wild. Feature usage is recorded per page load and is anonymously aggregated. The goal is to have one representative WebDXFeature use counter that maps directly to a high level feature as defined per the web-features project.
Please add WebDXFeature use counters for all new features (and other recent features you own!) shipped since 2020
You can add them just like you add WebFeature use counters
If a WebFeature/CSSSampleId counter(s) already exist, map them to the new WebDXFeature counter (in use_counter_page_load_metrics_observer.cc)
Refer to webdx_feature.mojom for naming details
Tracking bug to add WebDXFeature use counter at crbug.com/366475997
Use Counter burndown list (now largely complete) at bit.ly/webdxuc
Please contribute to the feature definitions at github.com/web-platform-dx/web-features
Please contribute to the mapping of WPT tests to your features (see WEB_FEATURES.yml files in the WPT repository)
More detailed information available here.
Your expertise and insights will be invaluable in creating a comprehensive and accurate feature map. By working together, we can create a more transparent and data-driven web development ecosystem, benefiting developers, browser vendors, and end-users alike.
Thank you for your contributions,
Johnny, on behalf of the Chrome Web Platform Team