Bookmarks are the foundation of web browsing, allowing you to save important websites and return to them instantly without needing to rely on a Google search or memory. While Google Chrome allows you to save bookmarks into hidden folders within a sprawling menu system, the most efficient way to access your favourite sites is by placing them directly on the Bookmarks Bar.
The Bookmarks Bar is a dedicated horizontal strip that sits permanently just below your address bar. It keeps your most vital websites (like your email, your calendar, or your company intranet) visible and clickable at all times. However, for the sake of visual minimalism, Chrome hides this bar by default when you first install the browser.
How to Turn on the Bookmarks Bar
You can force the bar to appear permanently using a simple setting.
- Open Google Chrome.
- Click the three vertical dots (the menu icon) in the top-right corner of the browser window.
- Hover your mouse over the Bookmarks and lists option.
- In the secondary menu that slides out, click on Show bookmarks bar so a small checkmark appears next to it.
Instantly, a new grey strip will appear directly underneath your address bar and remain there permanently, regardless of which website you visit.
The Keyboard Shortcut
If you like having the Bookmarks Bar visible while working, but find it distracting when watching a full-screen video or reading a long article, you do not need to use the menus to hide it again. You can toggle the bar on and off instantly using a keyboard shortcut:
- On Windows: Press
Ctrl + Shift + B - On Mac: Press
Cmd + Shift + B
How to Add Websites to the Bar
Once the bar is visible, adding websites to it is incredibly easy.
- Navigate to the website you want to save (e.g.,
youtube.com). - Look at the far-right side of the main address bar. You will see a small outline of a Star.
- Click the Star icon. It will turn solid blue.
- A small pop-up box will appear confirming the bookmark. In this box, look for the Folder drop-down menu.
- Ensure the folder is set to Bookmarks bar.
- Click Done.
The website will instantly appear as a clickable button on your new bar. If you want to rearrange the order of the websites on the bar, simply click and drag the icons left or right to suit your workflow.