According to multiple reports, Google Chrome right click “search google” command opens a sidebar rather than a new tab. The issue became prominent after the recent v109 update of the web browser.
Reports of Chrome right click “search google” opens sidebar after new update
Previously, highlighting some text, right-clicking on the blue text, and selecting “Search Google for” would launch a new tab with the results.
Instead of opening a separate tab, the search engine results are now displayed on the right hand side of the screen.
This change has been more of an annoyance than an advantage, as ‘Search Google for’ was a quick way to search for anything rather than entering or pasting the text in a new tab.
But besides the developers’ aim for a more Google-focused interaction when using the search function, consumers consider this feature to be flawed in its current state.
“When you right click text to search it on google, it opens in a small window beside the current tab. Is there a way to revert this change to the old behavior where it opens it in a new tab directly?” a user reported.
“Right click “search google” now opens a sidebar instead of new tab? How do I revert it? It was so easy to navigate another regular tab with my macros. Now the sidebar is too small and completely useless, cannot even navigate is a normal tab. One more click to open new tab? No thanks,” another user posted.
Potential workaround
Luckily, there is a potential workaround that involves disabling the ‘Context menu search with Google’ flag. To use it, follow these steps:
1. Type “chrome://flags” in the address bar and press Enter.
2. Search for the “Context menu search with Google” flag.
3. Change the setting from “Default” to “Disabled”.
4. Restart Google Chrome for the changes to take effect.
Disable "Search Google for" side panel.
Go to chrome://flags and search for "Search web in side panel", then disable it and relaunch Chrome.
Now "Search Google for" will open a new tab rather than side panel.
chrome://flags/#search-web-in-side-panel pic.twitter.com/vFjaFXlwUy
— Hoang ✨ (@hoang_atomic) December 7, 2022
Flags are intended for use by developers and are not advised for general users because they are experimental and can create confusion. They are also not irreversible and will be removed when the developers no longer require them.
There is no acknowledgment of the issue from Google yet.
