The reading list is a little-known feature of Google Chrome. The list, which was added several years ago, is meant to be a simple way to store articles you want to read, but don't have time for right now.

When it was first added, the link to the list would show up in the top-right corner of the screen, just below the menu link. Due to its prominent placement, for some users, the expanded toolbar was disruptive.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t an easy way to hide the link. Since then, however, Chrome has gone through several changes, and it has become much easier to keep the list from displaying.

What Is the Reading List on Google Chrome?

Google Chrome’s reading list is similar to the bookmark bar, but with a tighter focus on things that you want to save for later reading or viewing. For a long time, the reading list was only accessible by activating a flag in Chrome's features.

Chrome's side panel showing the reading list.

Previously, once activated, the reading list would stay locked in place until the flag was flipped, at which point the list would be lost entirely. Thankfully, Chrome received an update that allows the reading list to be hidden at will.

Since its release, the reading list has been migrated into Chrome’s side panel along with the bookmarks. The side panel is an expandable bar that can be displayed on the right-hand side of the screen.

Clicking on the sidebar button directly to the left of the account button will expand the side panel, providing access to the reading list.

The reading list in chrome functions a lot like the Watch Later list on YouTube. You can use it to store articles, images, and videos across multiple sites, then check them off later after you view them.

Once you open the side panel, the reading list will be selected by default. From here, you can add your current tab to the list. If you have items added to the list, you can either mark them as read, or you can remove them from the list entirely.

Once you are done, simply close the side panel, and the reading list will be out of sight until the next time you open it.

How to Remove the Reading List From Google Chrome

Since the original update occurred, significant changes have been made to the way that the reading list is displayed in Chrome. Initially, the reading list was shown hovering at the top right-hand side of the screen, directly below the menu button.

Thankfully, the list now being in the side panel means that hiding the reading list no longer requires any configuration in Chrome’s settings and flags. While the reading list can no longer be disabled entirely, the side panel is hidden by default.

Google Chrome's experimental features flag page.

The hidden panel means that if you are still seeing the reading list as a part of the toolbar, hiding it is as simple as updating to the latest version of Chrome. As long as you aren’t using the reading list actively, you can leave the side panel closed, and you will never know it is there.

There are other ways to control your bookmarks, like the Chrome bookmark manager, so you can forego the use of the side panel entirely.

Having an updated version of Chrome means that you won’t have to worry about removing the reading list. If you aren’t able to update Chrome, you can still hide the reading list on older editions. Doing so will require the use of Chrome’s flags.

Using Chrome Settings

While a setting was originally slated to be added to Chrome allowing users to hide the reading list, the side panel was released before it could be added. As of this time, there is not a setting in the standard Chrome settings allowing users to hide the reading list.

Since the reading list is no longer available outside of the side panel, this shouldn’t pose an issue for the majority of Chrome users. If your browser is out of date, however, and you want to hide the reading list, you’ll need to disable it entirely. Disabling the reading list can only be accomplished using Chrome’s flags.

Using Chrome Flags

In addition to the standard settings, Chrome has a page dedicated to flags that can be used for experimental features. The flags page lists a variety of tools and items that are still in development, but that have been at least partially deployed.

When the reading list was originally released, it was listed in these flags as an experimental feature. If you are running a non-updated version of Chrome, you can access these flags to disable the reading list entirely.

Note that if you do choose to disable the list, the items from your reading list may be lost, so be sure to back up anything you are planning to return to later. After changing the flag for the reading list to “disabled,” restart Chrome to finish removing it.

Tidy Up Your Google Chrome Toolbar

If the original link to the reading list is still showing under the menu button in your toolbar, it means that your browser is out of date. Hiding the link is as simple as getting a quick update. Updating will ensure that you have the latest features that Chrome has to offer, and your browsing experience is as secure as possible.

If an update isn’t possible, however, you can still hide the link to reclaim the space on your toolbar. While there isn’t a simple setting you can change, disabling the reading list flag will remove the link, hiding the reading list until you need it. And there's plenty more that you can do with flags in Chrome.