The result-oriented workplace places a very strong emphasis on staying productive. And yet, there are so many distractions to keep us from getting things done. Fortunately, there are as many useful tools to help people keep focus — and you do not even need to install any special software because most productivity plugins can integrate into your Google browser in a couple of clicks. Below are only some of the best Chrome extensions to help you minimize the effort on routine tasks, saving both time and your productive focus.
BlockSite: Avoid Distractions
Staying productive starts with eliminating all distractions, which is exactly what BlockSite does. It works very similarly to iOS focus mode that can be customized and mode-synced with your laptop — but BlockSite is not platform-exclusive, so Android users will certainly find this extension useful. This customizable plugin can block all notifications from apps and websites that distract you from work. It also has a time schedule feature, meaning that you can set specific times of the day when the block mode is on.
Finally, BlockSite comes with an app available for both iOS and Android. And since it’s account-based, you will have no difficulty syncing it with any number of laptops and browsers. So, you get a chance to boost productivity in all of your places of work, even if you’re moving from one office space to another. This makes BlockSite perfect for anyone using a hybrid work model.
Grammarly Desktop: Writing Assistance
This is one of the most popular services to enhance one’s writing — the benefits of using Grammarly have been recognized by millions of users worldwide. The software is regularly polished up and updated, and besides Chrome extension for the Grammarly Editor tool, the developers have recently presented a new product — Grammarly Desktop. But despite the name, the ‘desktop’ version looks very much like an extension and, once installed, seamlessly integrates with the older plugin version for Chrome (if you’re already using one).
So, what’s the main difference between Grammarly Editor and Desktop plugins, and why bother installing a new version? Besides checking grammar and spelling and giving suggestions on improving style and clarity, the Desktop plugin features chatbot assistance to help you with the writing block. So, when you’re stuck with an email or social media reply, just prompt Grammarly to help. Anyone who already pays for the editor’s premium subscription can make use of 1,000 AI-assisted Grammarly prompts.
SignalHire: Look Up Contact Details
SignalHire plugin is backed up by a database of 450+ million verified contacts. Initially, this tool was designed for recruiters to help them save time on looking up new job candidates, but the service has proven very useful in many other industries, including business development and marketing.
When you set up Chrome extension, which only takes a few simple steps to complete, you will be able to instantly pull the contact data of any person directly from social media. So, when you come across a potential client, employee, partner, freelancer, or anyone else you would like to contact later, you can save this person’s contact details, including email and phone number, for future conversations.
Briskine: Customizable Email Templates
If you write multiple emails in a day — like so many of us do — Briskine is the essential extension to save time and effort. While Grammarly offers a limited number of AI prompts you can use for all sorts of written communication, this tool is more email-specific. Besides offering ready templates, it also has a customization option that allows you to create as many prompt replies or brand-new messages as you wish.
Keyboard shortcuts for LinkedIn, Gmail, and Outlook are another nice bonus offering a chance to quickly move between these top communication channels. Just like templates, shortcuts can be customized in the extension settings. Besides, there is an option of sharing your existing email templates with colleagues, which is a nice perk for teams and larger departments.
The Great Suspender: Put Inactive Tabs to Sleep
All right, let’s be honest — even the best of us forget to close the tabs we’re not using. Besides, sometimes it is not even an option, and you need to switch between multiple tabs all the time. Even with the best processors, this slows down the computer, eats up memory, and seriously decreases battery life — especially with Chrome, which, despite its many great features, practically devours power and battery life. In all fairness, Google itself has tried to address this problem by introducing an energy saver mode you can activate in the browser settings. But The Great Suspender does it better. And it has a really cool name, too!
The tool does not freeze the tabs you are not using if there is a download or upload going on. But it puts all inactive tabs to sleep — so, from the point of view of the processor and battery, they are as good as closed.
Save to Google Drive: Any File in One Click
This official Chrome extension is a lifesaver for anyone who works with many files and prefers Google Drive storage to other cloud services. If you’re not using it already, you should because it saves any number of files directly into your Google Drive. You do not need to download pictures, documents, or webpages to upload them once again — this time to a new location.
But the tool has a few other perks, too. For example, it can show the last viewed pages in PDF format, adjust file formats before you save them to Drive, choose any folder location you like, rename files before saving, etc.
Scribe: Create Tutorials in Autopilot Mode
If you ever tried to explain how a process works to another person, you will love Scribe. Once activated, this plugin watches what you do in your desktop browser and then describes your actions in a comprehensive step-by-step guide that can be exported into any number of text formats. The extension is powered by GPT-4 AI, so the auto-piloted tutorials will not need much editing after they’re done. But you can edit them, of course — you can redact all sensitive information, remove steps, or add new ones manually.
Scribe also adds screenshots and is a lifesaver for anyone who regularly works with software documentation or needs to create any other training and how-to manuals of any kind.
ClickUp: Digital Workplace in One Place
Sometimes, even having all of those Chrome extensions for productivity is counter-productive — especially if you have to constantly click on yet another plugin button in an already crowded menu bar. ClickUp tries to solve this problem by offering access to many useful digital workplace features in one place. The tool can save bookmarks, create new tasks, capture and mark screenshots, save notes, and quickly turn any combinations of the above into email attachments. While this is not a complete activity list for a typical digital workplace, it is very handy to have all those features under one button.
These are the top examples of Chrome extensions for productivity most professionals will appreciate. But the actual list can go on for pages! After all, it depends on your industry, habits, even work environment. In any case, these plugins are a good start for anyone who wants to get things done as quickly and efficiently as possible.