Instant Preview

Follow the link.
Keep your place.

Open links in Chrome’s side panel while your current page stays in view. Built for reading, research, and checking references.

Get Instant Preview

For Chrome 140.0.7289.0 or later

Your first preview, step by step

See it in action

See how to preview links side by side without leaving your current page.

  1. Right-click a link on the current page and choose Instant Preview. The linked page loads in Chrome’s side panel while the original page stays in view.
  2. Right-click another link and choose Instant Preview again. The side panel displays the new destination without navigating away from the original page.

Right-click a link to get started. Select an image for a closer look, or watch a closer walkthrough.

  1. Open your first preview

    After installing Instant Preview, choose an HTTP or HTTPS link on the page you’re reading. Right-click it and choose Instant Preview.

    Context Menu Click is the default trigger, so you can start without changing any settings.

    Instant Preview highlighted in a link’s right-click menu.

  2. Read without leaving

    The linked page opens in Chrome’s side panel. Your original page stays in place, so you can read the reference alongside it.

    Here, the Quick start page remains on the left while the linked Version picker page opens on the right.

    Pico CSS Quick start stays open beside the Version picker preview.

  3. Make it your own

    To open Options, right-click the Instant Preview icon in Chrome’s toolbar or Extensions menu and choose Options.

    Select one preview trigger, adjust any applicable delay, and click Save. You can keep the default if it already suits you.

    Preview settings with Context Menu Click selected and a Save button.

Choose how previews open

Select one trigger in extension Options and click Save. Make the interaction fit the way you read.

Adjust long-click and hover delays where applicable. For Hover alone, first open the side panel using the extension icon, then hover over a link.

Get Instant Preview

Get it on the Chrome Web Store

A few things to know

Which browsers are supported?

Use Instant Preview in Chrome 140.0.7289.0 or later.

How do I open my first preview?

The default trigger is Context Menu Click. Right-click an HTTP or HTTPS link on your current page and choose Instant Preview. The target opens in Chrome’s side panel.

Why does hovering not open the panel?

If you selected Hover in extension Options and clicked Save, open the side panel using the extension icon first. Then hover over a link to preview it.