Switch to Vertical Browser Tabs for a Better Browsing Experience

Google’s Chrome browser is rolling out some long-awaited features that are sure to enhance your browsing experience. First up is a reading mode, designed to declutter web pages and make them easier to digest, much like what you find in other browsers. It’s a handy tool, especially since many websites can be overwhelming with their design. The second feature, however, is the real game-changer: vertical tabs. Now, instead of cramming all your tabs across the top, you can right-click the tab bar and choose “Show Tabs Vertically” to shift them into a sidebar.

Vertical tabs aren’t a novel concept in the browser world; even the original Chrome team explored this option before opting for the traditional top layout, believing it made each tab feel more like an individual app. Glen Murphy, the original designer, likened tabs to a window’s title bar, serving as a key element that could be detached and organized. Unfortunately, this design philosophy stuck around for too long.

Now that Chrome has finally implemented vertical tabs, it does so quite effectively. When you enable this feature, the address bar shifts to the top row, significantly reducing the interface’s footprint. For those who prefer a minimalist look, you can even shrink the sidebar to display just the website favicons, clearing up even more space.

That said, there’s room for improvement. In recent years, many browsers have adopted a design similar to what The Browser Company introduced with Arc, featuring a left sidebar that includes bookmarks and the address bar. This layout not only looks sleeker but also maximizes screen space. However, given Google’s business model, it’s unlikely that Chrome will ever remove the search bar from focus, as it’s integral to their search engine’s profitability.

Vertical tabs are a smart choice for managing your screen real estate. Most modern displays are widescreen, meaning they’re wider than they are tall, while websites and web apps are predominantly vertical. Whether you’re on a compact laptop or a massive monitor, vertical space is more valuable than horizontal.

Managing tabs becomes a breeze with this new layout. On a 13-inch MacBook Air, loading 12 tabs might only show a few letters of each title, and with 25 tabs, you’re left with just favicons. But with vertical tabs, you can view the full titles of up to 23 tabs at once, making it much easier to locate what you need without confusion.

Vertical tabs also enhance the experience of using tab groups, allowing you to organize your workflow without cluttering your view. You can create multiple groups that expand and contract, keeping your workspace tidy.

Another advantage of vertical tabs is that they align your browser’s functionality with other software you use. Many modern applications have adopted a sidebar for navigation, with the main content displayed in the center. While some holdouts like Microsoft Office and Google Workspace still prefer a horizontal toolbar, most contemporary software, from Notion to Slack, has embraced the sidebar approach. Since browsers are now primarily gateways to web apps, it makes sense for them to adopt a similar design.

The best part? You don’t have to take my word for it. If switching browsers feels daunting, just update Chrome, right-click the tab bar, and select Show Tabs Vertically. You might find it hard to go back to the old way.