Google is experimenting with a long-requested feature in the Chrome browser, aiming to transform how you manage tabs on your computer. This new interface, available in the developer-focused Chrome Canary version 88, offers a preview—albeit in an unstable build—of what could soon arrive for all Chrome users. Recently spotted by Windows Report, the new “Show tabs on side” feature introduces a left-hand sidebar for your open tabs, marking one of Chrome’s most significant UI changes in years.
What’s New: Vertical Tabs in Chrome
In Chrome Canary, right-clicking the tab bar reveals a fresh command that flips the standard horizontal row of tabs into a vertical sidebar on the left. In this mode, your tabs appear in a collapsible list with tab search, tab groups, easy creation of new tabs, and a one-click toggle to return to horizontal tabs.
This new layout prioritizes clarity and space efficiency. Vertical tabs allow you to see more of each page title, reducing the overwhelming “icon soup” that happens when dozens of tabs are open. The collapsible sidebar lets you reclaim valuable screen space for distraction-free reading but expands instantly when you need more context.
Keep in mind, as with any feature in Canary, this design is a work in progress and may change before it appears in stable releases. Google has yet to announce a release date, and the feature may roll out slowly or remain hidden behind flags as wider testing continues.
Why Vertical Tabs Matter
For power users and multitaskers, vertical tabs are a major quality-of-life upgrade. Most 13- to 15-inch laptops quickly run out of horizontal space; tab titles vanish when you open about 8 to 12 tabs. Even on ultrawide monitors, vertical space is always limited because page content takes priority. A vertical tab list preserves readable titles and makes it faster to scan for the page you want. Interface experts, such as the Nielsen Norman Group, have long noted that vertical navigation scales better as the number of items grows.
Performance features complement this change as well. Chrome’s Memory Saver—which Google claims can reduce memory usage by up to 30%—and automatic tab discarding help prevent large tab sessions from draining resources. When paired with an efficient vertical layout, these tools address tab overload without forcing users to change how they browse.
How Chrome Stacks Up Against Rivals
Chrome is catching up to competitors that have made vertical tabs a core feature. Microsoft Edge added built-in vertical tabs in 2021, complete with auto-collapse and site icon modes for decluttering space. Vivaldi has long offered robust vertical and tree-style tab management, including stacked tabs and multi-level group views. Firefox users often rely on add-ons like Tree Style Tab for a similar experience.
However, Chrome’s sheer market reach—about two-thirds of the desktop browser market, according to StatCounter—means that any rollout here sets the tone for the web. Millions of users could soon access vertical tabs without switching browsers or installing extensions, potentially reshaping what people expect from tab management.
What’s Next for Chrome’s Vertical Tabs
The key questions now center on polish and integration. Will vertical tabs support all features, including color-labeled tab groups and pinned or group-pinned tabs? Could the sidebar offer fast actions like move, mute, or save tab sets? How smoothly will keyboard navigation and accessibility work for those relying on screen readers or shortcuts?
If Google follows its usual pattern, expect incremental improvements to reach Canary first, then migrate to Beta, and finally Stable. Enterprise IT administrators may get early access to controls via Chrome policies. For now, the vertical tab feature is enabled by a Canary flag, inviting developers and early adopters to test and shape its future.
While it may seem a subtle tweak, this sidebar could have a huge impact: making chaotic browsing sessions more manageable and user-friendly. For millions who juggle 20, 50, or even 100 tabs, Chrome’s experiment shows the browser is finally adapting its core UI to the reality of modern web work.
