Microsoft introduced sidebar search in the Edge browser last year to provide users with web results such as definitions, images, useful links and anything related to that query. Google is now developing the same feature for Chrome as sidebar search, and Chrome Canary users can use it with the relevant flag enabled.
The sidebar search feature allows highlighting any text on a web page to find more information about it on the web without having to open a new tab. The search results are displayed in a pane to the right of the current web page, showing all relevant links, images, definitions, videos and all content related to that text.
Microsoft Edge users already use this feature. Now Chrome Canary users can also search quickly and without distraction. All users need to do is select a text and right-click on it. Doing so brings up a contextual menu where you can find some options called “Search on Google…” options. Now, the user can click on the option to display a side pane containing all the relevant information related to the highlighted text.
However, before performing any of the above steps, please remember that Chrome Sidebar Search is not enabled by default and the relevant flag needs to be enabled first by following these steps.
Open Chrome Canary
In the URL field, type “Chrome://flags”
In the “Search flags” box, type: Search web in side panel
Click Enable, then restart your browser
Google Chrome Canary sidebar search seems to be available to some users only for now.
According to Reddit users, Google will also introduce another option in the context menu that will open a new tab instead of showing the side panel.
