11 Chrome Side Panel Tips and Tricks: Get the Most Out of Your Browser

Google's Chrome browser recently introduced a new feature called the side panel. This feature is designed to eventually replace the bookmarks bar and offers a better and more efficient way to navigate the web. If you're a Chrome user who prefers the side panel option, here are some tips and tricks to help you make the most of it.

Keep Bookmarks Organized with the Reading List

Do you find it difficult to keep track of articles you want to read later? The reading list feature in Chrome's side panel can solve that problem for you. Simply open the side panel, go to the Reading list section, and click on the Add Current tab button. This will add the current tab to your reading list. You can easily check how long a page has been on the reading list and mark it as read once you're done. This feature helps you stay organized and easily access articles you want to read later.

Drag and Drop Bookmarks for Easy Navigation

Opening bookmarks in Chrome's side panel is convenient, but it replaces your current tab with the bookmarked site. To open a bookmark in a new tab or an existing tab, you can simply drag and drop it. Right-clicking on a bookmark also gives you the option to open it in a new tab. This makes it easier to navigate between different bookmarks without losing track of your current tab.

Manage Bookmarks with Ease

The side panel makes managing bookmarks a breeze. You can use the drag and drop feature to move bookmarks from one folder to another without the need to open each folder separately. Additionally, the right-click menu allows you to cut, copy, and paste bookmarks effortlessly. These features make it simple to organize and arrange your bookmarks exactly the way you want. You can also remove all bookmarks folders and start over if you want!

Speed Up Your Navigation with Keyboard Shortcuts

While dragging and dropping bookmarks is convenient, using keyboard shortcuts can make the process even faster. Pressing the Ctrl key while clicking on a bookmark opens it in a new tab, allowing you to quickly access multiple bookmarked links. To open a bookmark in a new window, simply press the Shift key before clicking on the bookmark. These shortcuts make navigating through your bookmarks a breeze.

Open and Save Multiple Bookmarks at Once

If you frequently visit a group of websites, opening each bookmark individually can be time-consuming. In Chrome's side panel, you can open multiple bookmarks at once by right-clicking on a folder and selecting the Open all option. This saves you time and effort, especially if you have a set of websites that you regularly access. Similarly, you can save multiple bookmarks to a folder by opening all the desired sites and selecting the Bookmark all tabs option.

Customize Your Bookmarks with Emojis

Adding emojis to your bookmark folders can make them visually appealing and easier to identify. Simply right-click on a folder, select the Rename option, and add an emoji before the folder's name. This small customization can make your bookmark folders stand out and enhance your browsing experience.

Maximize Your Screen Space

With the side panel feature in Chrome, you can remove the bookmarks bar to maximize your screen space. Right-click on the bookmarks bar and select the option to hide it. This creates a minimal and distraction-free browsing environment, allowing you to focus on the content without any unnecessary clutter.

Disable the Side Panel

If you prefer using the traditional bookmarks bar over the side panel, you have the option to disable it completely. Open the chrome://flags page in your browser, search for the side panel flag, and disable it. This will revert your browser back to the traditional bookmarks bar, giving you the flexibility to choose the navigation style that suits you best.

The side panel feature in Chrome offers a more streamlined and efficient way to manage your bookmarks and navigate the web. By utilizing these tips and tricks, you can enhance your browsing experience and make the most out of Chrome's side panel. Give them a try and see how they can simplify your web browsing routine.