You have a choice on which web browser you use. You might find some die-hard Google Chrome users. But you might find people who are excited about the newer Microsoft Edge, which is to replace the ancient Microsoft Explorer. Still, there are other web browsers that some prefer to use, such as Safari, Firefox, and other alternative web browsers that are not as well known. However, as of 2020 results, Google Chrome is still being used by two-thirds of all internet users as their default web browser.
Why Is Google Chrome So Popular?
There are many reasons why Chrome is still the most popular web browser.
- It works on a wide range of devices. The benefit of having a Google account is that everything is interconnected to work on multiple devices. Other browsers do this as well, but Google has its own unique way that makes it more intuitive to the user.
- It has a minimalist design that people love. The design offers more viewing space so users can see more content on one page with less scrolling.
- It remains one of the fastest web browsers. Speed is everything when surfing the internet. Remember when some websites wouldn’t even load on other browsers, so you had to switch to Chrome to view certain websites?
- It has many fun and useful extensions. By far, the biggest reason that more people still use Google Chrome is for the Chrome extensions. Chrome extensions are like apps, which are added to your browser and allow you to customize your web browsing usage.
Google Chrome’s Top Tools
In addition to the above reasons why Google Chrome is so popular, there are some great tools to streamline your browsing.
- Dark Mode – If you like to browse at night, turning on Google Chrome’s “dark mode” extension can help reduce eye strain and conserve the battery on your device. Dark mode is becoming more popular with apps and electronic devices because of the research studies on how using electronics at night can reduce sleep quality. Something is relaxing about the black background at night instead of that jarring white background that you usually see.
- Password Manager – If you are tired of remembering all of your passwords, your Google browser can securely store them for you. Google’s password manager can store your login information, passwords, and credentials that you use on various websites and apps and allows you to sign in with one master password. The password manager can also alert you if you reuse a password or choose a password that is too easy for potential security breaches.
- Pause/Play Feature – If you often work with multiple tabs open, you have probably been in the unfortunate scenario where suddenly a website starts playing music or a video. Still, you can’t quickly find which tab from where the sound is coming. The Chrome desktop browser has a pause and play feature that allows you to play (or pause) music and videos within the tab you are working. So that little video playing off to the side may be open in another tab, but you see it in the tab you are working on, so you can quickly pause it or play it without jumping from tab to tab.
- Incognito Mode – Incognito Mode is a feature that hides your online tracks and disables cookies that tell websites things about you, such as who you are, where you are, and when you last visited the site. This feature is great for checking email or social media, or anything that you have to log in using a password if you are using a public computer so that your credentials are not stored for others to find. Keep in mind that it doesn’t hide everything, such as browsing history, from your internet provider, or even your employer. Incognito mode only clears cookies, temporary internet files, and browsing history from the browser.
- Guest Mode – Similar to Incognito Mode, this feature will block access to other Chrome profiles such as ones where you store your usernames and passwords. You can allow a guest to use your computer, and they will not be able to change anything except the default browser, so you will be able to get your browser back to the way you like it after they finish using it.
Technology is always changing, and Google is often enhancing its features to make all of its products the best. Check out my blog page or sign up for my newsletter if you want to get more tips and keep up with all that Google offers.
