We wake up to hundreds of small browser updates every year, but every once in a while, one update genuinely changes how we work. Today was one of those days — when Google Chrome quietly rolled out Split View, a feature that should have existed years ago but somehow never made it into the world’s most popular browser… until now.
I experienced it almost accidentally. I right-clicked on a link like I always do, expecting the usual “Open link in new tab,” and suddenly there it was — “Open link in split view” with a tiny “New” label. And in that moment, I almost laughed. Chrome, finally catching up.
And that is where our little story begins.
What Exactly Is Split View in Chrome?
Before we wander into menus and comparisons, it’s worth pausing for a moment. Split view isn’t just about splitting your screen — it’s about splitting your attention without losing track of where you came from.
For years, browsers like Edge, Arc, Vivaldi, and even some lesser-known Chromium forks have offered built-in split views. But Chrome, despite being the king of browsers, avoided this feature for a very long time. Whether it was a design choice or simply low priority, we’ll never know.
But as of now, the wait is finally over.
With split view, you can open two websites side by side inside a single Chrome window — not as two separate windows, not using Windows Snap, but within the browser itself, neatly organized and connected.
And the best part? Chrome does not require any flag or hidden experiment to activate it. It’s just there, waiting quietly in the right-click menu.
How Split View Works in Google Chrome
Let’s take this slowly, as if we are discovering it together for the first time.
The Moment You See It
You right-click on any link — maybe a search result, maybe an article — and for the first time, Chrome shows a brand-new option:
Open link in split view
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That’s it. No configuration. No hidden settings. Just a clean toggle that opens a second panel inside the same Chrome window.
When you click it, your screen divides into two panels:
• The left shows your original page.
• The right shows the newly opened link.
It’s almost surprising how natural it feels.
Switching Between the Two Panels
This is where Chrome behaves slightly differently.
You cannot switch split-view tabs from the top bar.
There is no shared highlight or a second mini-tab.
Instead, Chrome takes a more literal approach:
You click directly inside the panel you want to use.
Whichever side you click becomes active.
It feels more like working inside two little browser rooms inside one house. Whichever room you step into becomes yours.
Typing and Searching Inside Split View
Another subtle detail — Chrome’s address bar responds to the panel you selected.
Click inside the right panel → the right panel’s URL becomes active.
Click the left panel → the left panel’s URL becomes active.
Once you get used to this, navigation becomes effortless.
Another Way to Activate Split View (That Many Will Miss)
While right-clicking a link is the most common trigger, Chrome also offers another method:
Right-click on any open tab → Add tab to new split view
This action reorganizes your layout instantly.
No dragging, no resizing — Chrome handles everything for you.
And once split view is open, you’ll notice a small icon on the toolbar.
Right-click that icon and pin it, so you can open split view anytime with a single click.
It becomes a permanent part of your browsing workflow.
Managing Split View: Close, Reverse, Separate
After spending some time with the feature, I found a few small but useful actions tucked neatly under the split view toolbar button.
When the split view icon appears, clicking it gives you options such as:
- Close left view
- Close right view
- Separate views (which turns the two split panels into normal tabs again)
- Reverse views (swap left and right)
These little touches show that Google didn’t simply copy split view from other browsers — they refined it.
How Chrome’s Split View Compares with Microsoft Edge
Let’s pause for a minute and reflect on something. Edge has had split view for a long time, but using it hasn’t always been smooth.
The Edge Approach
For Edge users, the usual way to turn on split view is through:
Settings → Appearance → Show split view button
Though, to Edge’s credit, it also supports right-clicking a link to open in split view — something even I forgot momentarily while testing.
Edge does split view well.
But Chrome’s implementation feels more minimal and intuitive.
No configuration. No setup. Just right-click → open.
The Big Edge Advantage: Vertical Tabs
Here’s where Edge still stays ahead — at least for now.
Edge supports vertical tabs, which shift your entire tab list to the left side, giving you a folder-like browsing experience. Many people swear by this layout, especially those who juggle dozens of tabs.
Chrome, however, is only testing vertical tabs right now.
A hidden internal feature called:
Tab strip position: Top or Left
…suggests that Chrome is preparing vertical tab support. But as of now, it isn’t available even in the Canary build reliably.
And to be very honest:
I personally still prefer horizontal tabs. It’s familiar, predictable, and visually cleaner for my own workflow. But many users find vertical tabs to be life-changing, especially on ultrawide monitors.
For now, Chrome wins on simplicity; Edge wins on flexibility.
Why Split View Matters More Than We Think
Features like these often look small on the surface. But if you think about your daily browsing flow — reading an article while checking references, comparing two products, writing while researching, reading while replying — split view becomes more than convenience.
It becomes a new way to multitask.
Chrome may not have invented it, but its implementation feels polished, fast, and surprisingly natural.
And that’s what separates a feature from a habit.
Official Download Links (If Needed)
If someone reading this doesn’t yet see the split view option, updating the browser may help.
- Google Chrome (Official): https://www.google.com/chrome/
- Microsoft Edge (Official): https://www.microsoft.com/edge
No alternative links, no promos — only official sources as requested.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes a browser feature arrives late, but once it lands, it feels like it always belonged there. Chrome’s new split view fits that description perfectly. It’s simple, it’s clean, and it transforms how you multitask without trying too hard.
Vertical tabs are still on the horizon, and maybe one day Chrome will surprise us again. But for now, split view alone is enough to change the way many people work every single day.
And if you ever feel lost or curious, the split view icon patiently sits in your toolbar, waiting for the next time you want two worlds side by side.
#GoogleChrome #SplitView #WebBrowsing #Chromium #TechGuide
