The 10 Best Google Chrome Extensions
With a variety of web browsers designed for users on differing platforms, internet browsing has never been easier. One of the most efficient browsers is Google Chrome, which allows users to synchronize bookmarks and preferences across multiple devices. Even though Chrome is very good by itself, it gets even better with “extensions.” Extensions are applications that can be added on and run as part of a web browser. They are designed to do everything from improving productivity to managing your time to wasting time with games. It can be overwhelming to sift through the thousands of extensions for truly helpful ones, so we chose a select few that can really improve your overall internet experience.
1. Adblock
Adblock, well, blocks ads and data tracking, according to the preferences you choose. It won’t block anything unless you instruct it to, as your choices create a list of elements to filter out. After installing it, you can choose to utilize one of two pre-made filters automatically enabled: an ad-blocking list based on your language, and a list of exceptions deemed “acceptable ads.” You can also take the time to create your own lists and filters.
Be aware, however, that when you block ads, you also keep website operators from earning advertising revenue. Because of this, some websites may refuse to load if Adblock is detected.
2. Gmail Offline
If you don’t have an internet connection, you can still be productive. Gmail Offline is Google’s solution for when you need Gmail functionality but don’t have an internet connection. Gmail Offline allows you to read, manage and write messages without an internet connection; when you finally get back online, your messages will be sent. It’s a great way to manage your Gmail inbox while on the go.
3. Stay Focusd
Stay Focusd is useful for those of us who are easily distracted by non-work-related websites. It allows you to create a timer that limits the time spent on internet distractions. When you reach the allotted time allowance, StayFocusd will block your designated time-wasters, including specific paths, webpages and even in-page content such as games or videos. These distractions will be inaccessible throughout the rest of the day, allowing you to focus on your work instead of time-wasting sites.
4. YSlow
First released for Firefox, YSlow was designed to help developers analyze website code and suggest ways to improve site performance. Now it is available for Chrome. From bad code to style-sheet issues, webpages can run slow for a variety of reasons. Using this extension will provide quick insight that allows you to pinpoint issues and implement changes to boost your site’s performance.
5. TweetDeck
TweetDeck is a novel app that allows you to visually personalize your Twitter feed in a Chrome browser tab. It features a customizable layout that allows you to post tweets and monitor activity on multiple Twitter feeds. It also lets you schedule posts, so you can send out tweets at different times even without access to Twitter or the internet. TweetDeck also features robust analytics tools that allow you to track the effectiveness of your posts. A sleek redesign and drag-and-drop capabilities also make TweetDeck easy to use. You can keep track of lists, your Twitter searches and even hashtags. It’s a simple yet robust dashboard to handle all your Twitter needs.
6. Hover Zoom
When browsing the internet, it can be annoying to only see thumbnails and not larger-scale images. Hover Zoom, however, offers you a better image preview by loading a larger photo within the display without having to download the file or open another tab or browser. This can be incredibly useful when shopping on Amazon or browsing through a Flickr gallery.
7. Personal Blocklist
Offered by Google, its Personal Blocklist extension will let you block websites or whole domains from your search results. Per its usage terms, this information is sent to Google for the purposes of “[improving its] products and services.” With the ability to see the search results you truly want, your productivity can improve while your research is facilitated.
8. Honey
Looking for online coupons while shopping can be so time consuming that it’s almost not worth the money. With that in mind, Honey searches thousands of stores for promotions that you might not be unaware of, and it automatically adds the discounts to your shopping cart. As a caveat, however, be aware that this extension sends data back to Google Analytics for the purpose of “[improving its] products and services.”
9. Evernote Web Clipper
From pictures to websites, phrases and even business ideas, Evernote is a note-taking app that allows you to keep track and sort anything of interest. Its Web Clipper extension provides Chrome users a way to snip text, images, links and more from the web. You can choose to save the entire page or just simplified text, and it even lets you clip a PDF file or a Gmail conversation.
10. Chrome Remote Desktop
Have you ever been at work and needed a document from your home computer, or vice versa? With a large number of employees working remotely, the Chrome Remote Desktop extension makes life a bit easier. The extension gives you access to other computers, and it also allows other devices to access your computer as well. This can be useful for tech support or collaboration with another user. Connections are claimed to be secure, and the extension provides a great deal of flexibility for business travel and work-from-home situations.
A Note About Using Extensions
As opposed to other browsers like Firefox or Internet Explorer, Chrome extensions can be synchronized with a user’s Google account. This means that an extension you install on Chrome for your desktop will also appear on Chrome for your laptop and/or mobile devices. While this provides users with a seamless experience, developers are responsible for making sure they run well on different operating systems (e.g. Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, etc.). An extension that works great on your computer may not work well on your smartphone, and vice versa.
Maintaining productivity while browsing the web can be difficult, but can also be helped by these extensions. From smart shopping to time management, Chrome extensions can be a great way to stay organized and manage your resources in the face of another interesting Wikipedia link.
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