WEB DESK, November 6, 2026: Google is testing a vertical tabs feature in Chrome that could make it easier for users to manage multiple open websites by displaying tabs in a scrollable sidebar instead of the browser’s traditional horizontal tab bar.
The experimental feature is designed to address a common problem faced by Chrome users who keep numerous webpages open simultaneously. As more tabs are added, the available space across the top of the browser becomes increasingly limited, making individual pages difficult to identify and access.
With vertical tabs, users would be able to view their open webpages in a side panel, allowing them to navigate between websites without dealing with overcrowded tabs at the top of the screen.
How Chrome’s vertical tabs will work
According to reports, Google is developing a scrollable tab bar that arranges open webpages vertically along the side of the browser window.
The layout is intended to make tab management more convenient, particularly for people who regularly work with dozens of websites at the same time.
Unlike the conventional horizontal arrangement, which compresses tabs as their number increases, a vertical layout provides a more organised way to browse and switch between open pages.
Similar functionality is already available in competing browsers, including Mozilla Firefox, where vertical tab arrangements offer an alternative to traditional browser navigation.
Feature available for testing in Chrome Canary
Google has announced the experimental feature through its support page, although it has not yet been released to all Chrome users.
The vertical tabs option is currently available for testing through Chrome Canary, the browser’s experimental version used to evaluate features before their wider release.
Chrome Canary allows users to try features that remain under development, meaning their functionality and availability may change during testing.
Google has not announced a confirmed date for introducing vertical tabs in the stable version of Chrome.
The feature could be particularly useful for professionals, researchers, students and other users who frequently switch between multiple webpages.
For users who generally keep only a few tabs open, the change may offer less noticeable benefits.
The development reflects Google’s efforts to improve browsing efficiency and provide more flexible ways to organise webpages within Chrome.