How can you focus when reading online with extra elements like advertisements? In today’s digital landscape, we are constantly bombarded with distractions that can derail our reading experience. From flashy ads to pop-up notifications, these elements often compete for our attention, making it difficult to concentrate on the content that truly matters. Thankfully, there is a page simplification tool built into most web browsers. This feature allows you to strip away unnecessary visual clutter, providing a cleaner reading environment. By utilizing this tool, you can enhance your online reading experience, allowing you to absorb information more efficiently and enjoyably.
The benefits of page simplification:
- Reduces clutter so the information is easier to see and read
- Eliminates distractions
- Allows for higher engagement with the reading material
Follow the step-by-step instructions for simplifying webpages using the Google Chrome web browser and the Microsoft Edge web browser which can be installed for free on both Windows and Mac computers.
Microsoft: Page simplification in the Edge web browser
Use Immersive Reader in the Edge web browser to remove advertisements and unnecessary images.
Immersive Reader in the Edge web browser
- Select a web page to read.
- In the web address bar, click the Immersive Reader icon (open book icon). One caveat, the Immersive Reader icon may not be available for websites with lots of visual elements and little text.
- In the Immersive Reader view, advertisements and extra elements on the page are removed.
- Change the text size, text spacing, and color contrast in the Text Preference tab in the bar at the top of the page. Experiment with the settings in each of the tabs in Immersive Reader.
- Click the back arrow to return to the original view of the web page.
Microsoft support article: Enter Reading view with Immersive Reader in Edge
Tip: Immersive Reader is also available in the free Microsoft productivity applications. Learn more by reading Where is Immersive Reader?
Google: Page simplification in the Chrome web browser
Remove visual clutter and distractions quickly with Reader Mode in the Chrome web browser.
Reader Mode in the Chrome web browser
- Select a web page to read.
- In the web address bar, click the Reader Mode icon (notebook icon). Or you may click the More button (three dots next to your profile picture) and select Enter Reader Mode.
- Advertisements and extra elements on the page are removed.
- Click the Appearance icon (A icon) at the top of the web page to customize the font, font size, and color contrast.
- To exit Reader Mode, select More (the three dots next to your profile picture) and click Exit Reader Mode.
Tip: Other web browsers such as Firefox and Safari also have a Reader Mode that removes distracting elements from web pages.
More tools for maintaining engagement in reading
- Quiet notifications setting
- Text-to-speech technology
- See the offline solutions for creating a distraction free environment and for maintaining engagement in reading.
Resources
These resources are provided to create awareness other page simplification options to help you focus when reading online. It is a curated list of web browser extensions in alphabetical order.
Tip: You can install Chrome extensions in the Google Chrome web browser and the Microsoft Edge web browser.
Google Help instructions: Install and manage extensions
Microsoft Support instructions: Add, turn off, or remove extensions in Microsoft Edge
Adblock Plus – Blocks distracting elements on web pages such as pop-ups, video ads and banners.
MagicScroll Web Reader – Removes visual clutter and distractions from web pages so you can focus on the core content on the page.
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