Master Your New Chrome Tabs for Maximum Efficiency

Which scenario sounds more familiar to you: you open a Google Chrome tab and sigh as you then have to navigate through the list of predetermined options it presents, or you open a Google Chrome tab with confidence that you’ll know exactly what will appear?

This is the difference between sticking with Chrome’s often-distracting default settings and taking a few minutes to customize how your new tabs behave. Let’s talk about how to make these customizations and take control of one of your most foundational workplace tools.

Chrome Was Designed to Be Customizable

That is why tools exist that let you control your new tabs. These tools can be found in the customization panel:

• Open a new tab. On Windows, the shortcut is Ctrl + T. On a Mac, press Cmd + T.
• At the bottom-right corner of your browser window, find a small pencil icon. This is the Customize Chrome button. 
• Click it to open a side panel.

Once this Side Panel is Open, You Can Start Customizing

By default, Google Chrome provides shortcuts to your most frequently used websites and web pages. Nevertheless, visiting a site just once can create a shortcut that persists for days. You can change this by adjusting a simple setting in that side panel.

Under Shortcuts, you are given two options: Most visited sites, and My shortcuts.

Most visited sites provides the list we mentioned above, which automatically updates based on your recent browsing history. My shortcuts, on the other hand, lets you manually select the tools, websites, and portals you want.

To add these links, simply click the Add shortcut button on the new tab page. You’ll be prompted to provide the site’s title and web address. To remove unwanted or unneeded shortcuts, hover over the icon and select the three-dot menu that appears. From there, click Remove.

Turning Cards On and Off

Google Chrome can display additional content on new tab pages, including suggested articles, recent files from your Google Drive, or shopping offers. Not all of these apply to work, so you can access the Cards section in that side panel to choose which to display (if any).

Adjusting Chrome’s Colors and Themes

The side panel also offers settings to adjust your browser’s Appearance. Generally, it is best to choose a neutral backdrop color scheme (preferably from the Dark collection) for long work hours. You can select one or create your own under the Change theme button.

Even Setting Up Browser Tabs Can Push the Needle

Even the smallest obstacles can cause significant time loss, especially as they accumulate. Anything that breaks someone’s focus (like searching for the right shortcut or maneuvering around unwanted suggestions) ultimately wastes valuable time. Plus, using Chrome-native features like this helps reduce the risk of third-party extensions you and your team might otherwise be tempted to use.

Investing a few minutes now to save cumulative hours later is almost always the right decision. Horne & Benik is here to help you embrace all the opportunities you have to do so.

Learn more by reaching out to us. Give us a call at (603) 499-4400.