Google Tests Vertical Tabs in Chrome Canary

Google has begun testing a vertical tabs feature in the experimental Canary build of its Chrome browser for desktop, allowing users to relocate tabs from the traditional horizontal bar to a sidebar on the left side of the screen. The addition, first spotted by Windows Report, addresses a common complaint among heavy browser users about cluttered tab management.

To enable the feature, users right-click on the horizontal tab bar at the top of the browser window. A context menu appears with an option labeled "Show tabs to the side." Selecting it shifts the tabs into a vertical stack in the sidebar, where they display full page titles and site icons for easier identification. This layout eliminates the need for horizontal scrolling, which often becomes cumbersome when dozens of tabs are open.

The sidebar includes several integrated tools to enhance navigation. At the top, a Tab Search field allows users to quickly find specific tabs by entering keywords. Next to it is a button to collapse or expand the sidebar, freeing up horizontal screen space when desired. Toward the bottom, users can access Tab Groups for organizing related tabs and a plus button to open new ones. These elements...