Chrome adds Reader Mode button to Address bar

Reader Mode in Chrome browser is still available behind a flag and can be enabled in the stable version also, the latest update to Chrome Canary has added an always visible button in the address bar to activate reader mode for pages in the browser.

Somewhat unlike to Google, Chrome introduced Reader Mode in desktop Chrome. This was never coming, considering reader mode strips of all ads from page to make it reader-friendly, but it is here, still an experimental feature though. Behind the scenes, the feature uses DOM distiller to distill page contents.

Chrome reader mode button in address bar to toggle distilled page contents

To trigger reader mode for a page you’re on in Chrome browser, you need to click on Chrome menu and select “Toggle distilled page contents” option, this no longer required as a 3 horizontal line or hamburger icon has been added to address bar.

Unlike Edge and Firefox browsers that shows Reader View icon when readable content is detected on a web page, Chrome is always showing Reader mode button in the address bar, even on the new tab page.

Expect future updates to Canary to offer controls in reader mode to adjust the font size and change page background to light or dark or sepia.

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Venkat Eswarlu

Venkat is an independent technology journalist and the founder of Techdows. He has been covering web browsers, Windows, and software news since 2009. His exclusive scoops on Chrome, Firefox, and Edge features have been cited by Forbes, TechCrunch, Wired, CNET, and other major publications.

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