Top 5 Google Chrome Extensions (Plugins) For Better Browsing

Google Chrome recently notched up the 20% mark in the share for worldwide supremacy. It’s becoming the de-facto browser for many people around the world. The main reasons for its success is the fact that Google Chrome has a great ecosystem of developers, who are constantly releasing new web apps and extensions (plugins, addons) for it. However, over the time, there has been a selection of extensions that we’ve particularly loved. Here’s a list of 5 great Chrome extensions for better browsing.

Better Browsing Plugins for Chrome #1. Google Dictionary

The Google Dictionary plugin for Chrome helps us most when we need to research the meanings of crazy-sounding words while writing pieces for the blog. Google Dictionary basically gives you double-click access to definitions from Google. Got a word you don’t understand? Just select it with your mouse cursor (double click it), and a cute little popup will give you its meaning(s).

Better Browsing Plugins for Chrome #2. Cloud Save

Another time saver is the Cloud Save plugin for Chrome. With the plethora of cloud-storage options available on the web today, it’s actually quite cumbersome to sign in to each to upload something you like. The Cloud Save Chrome addon eliminates that requirement and lets you upload files from the web with simple right-click access from within Chrome.

Update: Cloud Save seems to have been removed from the Chrome Web Store

Better Browsing Plugins for Chrome #3. Omnibox Site Search

There may be times when a website’s search feature isn’t very helpful. Sometimes, a site may not have a search box at all. As users, we generally blame poor design but actually feel quite helpless to do anything about it. The Omnibox Site Search plugin for Chrome provides the capability to search within a website using Google’s custom search. All you need to do once you are on a page you need to search is click in the address bar, hit ‘s’ and then insert a space, followed by your keywords. Then, press enter to begin the search.

Better Browsing Plugins for Chrome #4. Personal Blocklist

This is actually one of the Chrome addons by Google that allows you to filter your search results so that they can crowdsource the results thrown up by its search engine. Suppose you like a certain result in Google search, and don’t particularly fancy another. Then, you can use the Personal Blocklist plugin for Chrome to block that entire domain from appearing in future search results for you. Google uses this to improve its search results and make them more relevant for you.

Better Browsing Plugins for Chrome #5. WikiPreview

Another one of our little favorite addons (and the last of this round up) is the WikiPreview extension. True to its name, it lets you preview the content of any Wikipedia link, without having to click on it and wait for the entire page to load. This way, you can see what a Wikipedia link points to, decide whether or not you like it, and then click through if you do. If you don’t, just ignore it.

If you fancy more Google Chrome extensions, do check out 10 Google Chrome Extensions To Boost Your Productivity.

Google Chrome only keeps getting better with the power of extensions. Let us know about your favorite extensions via your comments below.