Chrome is testing a "follow" button for websites to make sure you don't miss any updates

Google Chrome
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Keeping up with the latest news from your favorite websites such as TechRadar could be about to get a lot easier for Google Chrome users as Google is reportedly testing out a new Follow button.

The news outlet Chrome Story first spotted the new button in a recently released build of Chrome Canary which allows developers to test out the latest features coming to the search giant's browser.

Currently you can already follow specific topics using the Google app's 'Discover' feed that also appears when you open a new tab in Chrome for Android. In the Discover feed, you can add topics you're interested in following or exclude ones that don't interest you. For instance, if you're interested in learning more about cloud computing, you can follow the topic and Google will show you news stories related to it.

Google also recently added the option to share and like content on its Discover feed which is why adding a Follow button makes a great deal of sense.

Return of Google Reader

While Chrome Story believes the new Follow button will be integrated with Google's Discover feed, others have speculated that the company could be building a replacement for Google Reader.

For those unfamiliar, Google Reader was an RSS feed aggregator operated by the search giant that was discontinued back in 2013 to the dismay of many users.

Before social media apps and services existed, many WordPress blogs featured RSS buttons that allowed users to follow a site for new updates without having to check back manually each time. Although RSS still exists, Google's decision to discontinue Google Reader and the rise of social media have made it a less popular way for people to get their news.

We'll have to wait for a formal announcement from Google on whether or not the company will add a Follow button to Chrome but until then, you can always download Chrome Canary to test out new features coming to Chrome before their added to stable builds of the browser.

Via WordPress Tavern

TOPICS
Anthony Spadafora

After working with the TechRadar Pro team for the last several years, Anthony is now the security and networking editor at Tom’s Guide where he covers everything from data breaches and ransomware gangs to the best way to cover your whole home or business with Wi-Fi. When not writing, you can find him tinkering with PCs and game consoles, managing cables and upgrading his smart home. 

Read more
Chrome browser icons
Despise internet pop-ups? Google Chrome is testing an AI-powered feature to help end these
Google Chrome browser icon
A new split-screen feature is coming to Google Chrome, and it's surprisingly powerful
Chrome 90 Browser for iOS
Google Chrome might soon use AI to make you a better password
Google Chrome with Christmas theme in Windows 11
I've used Edge, Firefox, and Opera, and yet after ten years in tech journalism, I still come back to Chrome
Two phones on an orange background showing the Google Podcasts app
Google Discover's new experimental Daily Listen feature turns your news feed into a podcast
A finger touching the google chrome icon in the Windows 10 start menu
A new Chrome browser highjacking attack could affect billions of users - here's how to fight it
Latest in Software & Services
TinEye website
I like this reverse image search service the most
A person in a wheelchair working at a computer.
Here’s a free way to find long lost relatives and friends
A white woman with long brown hair in a ponytail looks down at her computer in a distressed manner. She is holding her forehead with one hand and a credit card with the other
This people search finder covers all the bases, but it's not perfect
That's Them home page
Is That's Them worth it? My honest review
woman listening to computer
AWS vs Azure: choosing the right platform to maximize your company's investment
A person at a desktop computer working on spreadsheet tables.
Trello vs Jira: which project management solution is best for you?
Latest in News
Samsung HW-Q990D soundbar with Halloween theme over the top
Samsung promises to repair soundbars bricked by its disastrous software update for free – but it'll probably involve shipping
Google Gemini AI
Gmail is adding a new Gemini AI tool to help smarten up your work emails
Android 16 logo on a phone
Here's how Android 16 will upgrade the screen unlocking process on your Pixel
Man sitting on sofa, drinking coffee, looking at phone in surprise
Thousands of coffee lovers warned to stop using their espresso machines immediately after reports of burns and lacerations
Visual Intelligence identifying a dog
AirPods with cameras for Visual Intelligence could be one of the best personal safety features Apple has ever planned – here's why
Nvidia AMD
Nvidia rumors suggest it's working on two affordable GPUs to spoil AMD's party