PRODUCTIVITY
The Best Browser Add-ons for Getting More Done.
Google Chrome is the world’s most used web browser. However, as good as Chrome is in its default configuration, there are still some things missing that people rely on. That’s where browser extensions take the stage. They’re an invaluable way to add more functionality to things you already do.
The Chrome Web Store has thousands of different extensions, each with its own particular niche. However, the ones that I appreciate the most are the ones that help me be more productive.
Here are some of my favorites.
1. eesel
There are countless “new tab” extensions in the Chrome Web Store. Each one promises to revolutionize how you use your browser, but few live up to that promise. eesel might be the exception to the rule.
With eesel you can find any doc, create new ones, and follow your teammates’ projects, all from your new tab page. It works by filtering your browser history and grouping those documents by app type. It also automatically creates folders based on a specific project or client you communicate with.
eesel works with any app that you use in a browser, including Google Docs, Notion, Trello, Canva, and more. There’s no need to create an account or connect the different apps you use, and eesel runs locally by default so the content of your documents never leaves your browser.
Learn more here: eesel.app.
2. Awesome Screenshot and Screen Recorder
I always try to minimize the number of extensions I have to help my browser run efficiently. So, if I can find one tool that does the job of two and do it well, my curiosity will be on high alert.
Awesome Screenshot and Screen Recorder does exactly what its name would suggest. It takes screenshots and screen recordings. These tasks are essential to my workflow, so this is an easy extension to recommend.
The screenshot tool lets you capture a full-page, selected area, or the visible part of a webpage and includes a countdown timer if needed. You can resize or crop your screen capture and use annotation tools like blur, shape, text, or highlighter. Once you are done, you can download your image, send it to an app, or share it with a link.
The screen recording tool is equally useful. You can record your desktop, current tab, or just your camera. If you want to record yourself and your screen, you can embed the webcam in the corner of your video. You can even annotate your video while you are recording. Once you are done, finished videos can be downloaded as an MP4 or shared with a link.
This extension has free and paid options. Learn more at: awesomescreenshot.com.
3. Grammarly
Few online writers have yet to hear about Grammarly. I have been using it for a while now and always appreciate the helpful suggestions that it has to keep my writing free of spelling and grammar mistakes.
With Grammarly, you will get real-time feedback on your writing in Gmail, Google Docs, Twitter, LinkedIn, Medium, and everywhere else you find yourself writing online. In addition, if you pay for the premium plan, it will check the tone, fluency, and clarity of your writing and offer suggestions on improving each one.
I’m not going to tell you I agree with all of Grammarly’s suggestions because I don’t. It doesn’t know the names of all the technology tools I write about, and sometimes I just prefer to phrase things my way. However, for everything else, I love this tool, and there is no doubt that Grammarly saves me time and makes me more productive.
Learn more at grammarly.com.
4. uBlock Origin
I have been a fan of ad blockers for years. I feel more productive when pages load faster, and I am not overloaded with pop-ups, autoplay videos, and distracting ads. That’s why I like Medium. It’s also why I use uBlock Origin.
If you want to save time on YouTube, use uBlock Origin because it blocks all ads in the videos you watch. The same goes for Hulu and other ad-supported streaming platforms. Facebook, local news sites, technology blogs, and everything else will be also ad-free when installing this extension.
I’m not going to deny that the web as we know it exists because of online advertising. If everyone used an ad-blocker, we would have to pay to access more of the internet. However, you can turn uBlock Origin on and off as needed and whitelist websites you want to support.
Learn more at ublockorigin.com.
5. Toggl Track
I have long thought that a time tracker is an essential productivity tool for just about anyone. How else will you know where you have been spending your time if you don’t keep track of everything you do?
Toggl Track puts a timer into any web tool and allows quick, real-time productivity tracking. When you start a new task, label it in Toggl and start your timer. Once you are done, stop the timer. Toggl Track will record all of the things you do in a cloud dashboard so you can see exactly where your time is being spent.
The Chrome extension includes a Pomodoro timer, idle detection, and tracking reminders to help keep you on task. Desktop and mobile apps are also available.
Learn more at toggl.com/track.
6. OneTab
These days, most people live in a web browser. Sure, we use other apps, but our central hub is online in a browser. That means tabs. Lots of tabs. It means multiple windows that all have lots of tabs.
Unfortunately, Chrome has a bad habit of grinding to a halt if you have too many windows and tabs open. It eats up memory on your computer and can quickly slow everything to a crawl. That’s why I like OneTab.
Whenever you find yourself with too many open tabs, resist the temptation to open a new window. Instead, click the OneTab icon in your browser to save them all to a list. Once they are saved, you can close your browser, or turn off your computer, safe in the knowledge that all your tabs are saved.
When you need to access those tabs again, you can either restore them individually or all at once. OneTab is perfect for those unfinished projects where you want to save your open tabs, or when you need to do a system update and don’t want to lose your place.
Learn more at one-tab.com.
7. StayFocusd
As productive as we all like to think we are, the web is a constant distraction. A world of untapped interruptions is just one new tab away. Facebook, Reddit, Twitter, and YouTube are calling your name. You resist, for a while, but soon find yourself deep down a rabbit hole with no idea of how you got there. Then it’s lunchtime. Welp! Where did the time go?
The StayFocusd Chrome extension will help with this. You start by identifying the sites you are most tempted by and add them to your blocked list. Next, you set a maximum amount of time you are allowed to spend on those sites. After the time has expired, those websites are blocked by your browser and can’t be accessed for the rest of the day.
If you think you might cheat by removing blocked sites or adding more time, turn on challenge mode. Once enabled, you’ll have to pass a challenge to change your settings. The challenge requires you to type a long paragraph, letter for letter, without making a single typo.
If you make a typo, hit the backspace or delete key, everything you typed will be erased, and you’ll have to start again. Of course, nothing stops you from opening another browser or unlocking your phone, but this is a great way to train your brain if you want to stay on task.
Learn more at the Chrome Web Store.
Bonus Tip: Did You Know?
These Chrome extensions will work on more than just Google Chrome because many of them have alternative versions for Firefox and Safari. However, the extensions above also work on Chromium-based browsers like Brave, Microsoft Edge, Opera, or Vivaldi.
So, if Chrome isn’t your favorite, you still have options, and you still have access to everything in the Chrome Web Store.
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