4 Things You Can Do in Chrome That Most Users Have Never Tried

More than half of UK desktop users lean on Chrome every single day, as it holds the majority of the desktop browser market in the UK. However, almost no one scratches the surface of what this browser can actually do. Most people stick to the basics, but there’s a whole layer of clever tools hiding in plain sight.

Let’s look at four Chrome features that most users never try. And, we’ll also talk about the one extension that might just become your new favourite browser tool.

1. Automatic Tab Groups

Raise your hand if you’ve ever had so many tabs open that you can’t tell which one is the budget spreadsheet and which one is the recipe for that lemon drizzle cake you promised to make. Here’s a feature that turns tab chaos into calm.

• If the feature is available in your version of Chrome, right-click any open tab and select ‘Organise Similar Tabs’. Chrome will suggest tab groups based on the pages you have open, scan everything you’ve got open, and instantly bundle similar sites together.
• It names the group for you and lets you assign a colour.
• You can minimise the entire group with one click. When the kettle boils or your toddler needs attention, collapse the group and pick up exactly where you left off.

Right now, I’m researching flights for a summer trip to Greece, and Chrome has neatly grouped all my airline tabs into one tidy little cluster. The best part? You can also drag and drop tabs between groups or manually rename a group. 

It’s ridiculously satisfying, and once you try it, you’ll never go back to the old messy tab bar.

2. Reading List

You know that moment when you stumble across a brilliant article, but you simply don’t have time to read it? That’s where the Reading List saves the day.

• Click the Side Panel icon (looks like a little page, just left of your profile photo) and choose “Reading List”.
• Add any page with one click: click the star in the address bar, then select “Add to reading list” instead of “Add to bookmarks”.
• The list has two sections: “Unread” and “Pages you’ve read”. Mark an article as done, and it moves automatically, keeping your nightstand digital clutter‑free.

The Reading List landed in Chrome back in 2021 and remains criminally underused. 

Perfect for anyone who reads as much as you probably do – whether it’s parenting blogs, budget travel tips, or the latest health trends.

3. Chrome VPN Extension

Let me introduce you to the one add-on that sits quietly in your browser, ready to protect you without you even noticing it’s there. Most people think a VPN is complicated – something for IT professionals or people hiding from the government. But the truth is far simpler. 

What can you actually use it for in everyday life?

• Browsing for holiday flights, and suddenly the prices shoot up – a VPN can help you compare prices as if you’re searching from a different location.
• Shopping online from a coffee shop’s dodgy Wi-Fi, and you want to keep your card details safe.
• Trying to read an article, but your internet provider has quietly blocked it.
• A VPN can help reduce tracking linked to your IP address (although it won’t prevent all forms of online tracking).

Note: The best VPN extension for Chrome is simple to install. In most cases, it takes just a few button presses to install and upgrade your internet experience. 

4. Live Caption

Live caption generates real‑time captions for any audio playing through Chrome. Including YouTube videos, podcasts, and live streams. 

• Turn it on in three clicks: Three dots > Settings > Accessibility > toggle Live Caption.
• The captions appear in a small bubble you can drag anywhere on your screen.
• Everything happens locally on your device, so the audio and captions aren’t sent to Google’s servers and your privacy is protected.

Perfect for when the kids are asleep, and you can’t turn up the volume, or when you’re watching something with tricky audio while dinner simmers on the hob. 

It works for British English, too. Honestly, once you switch it on, you’ll wonder why every browser doesn’t do this by default.

Improve Your Google Chrome Experience Today

Every single feature we just walked through has been sitting inside Chrome for months or years, ignored by millions of people. The same goes for that quiet VPN extension you’ve been meaning to try. 

We spend so much time hunting for shiny new apps when the real upgrades are already under our fingertips. So give one of these a try to get the most out of Google Chrome, the most popular browser on the internet. 

This is a collaborative post.