Google Chrome, the world’s most popular web browser, did add ways to declutter the browsing experience. By making some changes in Settings and taking appropriate measurements, you can completely stop or allow only the relevant notifications from the Google Chrome browser. In this post, we will talk about all the possible scenarios explaining why you are getting notifications from Google Chrome and how to change it. We will cover Google Chrome on desktop as well as its mobile apps on Android and iOS. Let’s get started. Note: When I mention Google Chrome desktop, it includes both Windows and Mac app as Google Chrome browser is identical in terms of looks and features on both the platforms.
Block Notifications From Various Websites
When a user installs a new app on the phone, the app asks for various permissions to functions properly. We mostly allow permission. The same habit applies to websites. When you visit a website, it asks for permission to send notifications and store cookies data on your device. Going with our habit, we mostly allow those permissions as well. There are two ways to disable these notifications on Google Chrome desktop.
Disable Notifications From the Address Bar
You can individually disable the notification from the address bar. Follow the steps below. Step 1: Visit the relevant website and tap on the tiny lock icon in the address bar. Step 2: Here, you will find the Notification menu. Tap on it and Block the notifications. Step 3: If you don’t see the notification option, then dive into Site Settings from the same menu. Step 4: It will open the site settings menu, scroll down to notification option, and disable notifications for the website. You can visit all the websites individually and turn off notifications for them. If you wish to block all of them at once, then use the Google Chrome Settings menu.
Block Notifications From Google Chrome Settings Menu
Go through the steps below. Step 1: Open Google Chrome and tap on the three-dot menu at the upper right corner and select Settings. Step 2: Go to Privacy and security and select Permissions > Notifications from the side menu. Step 3: First, you will see the list of sites with notifications blocked. Scroll down, and you will see the list of websites with notifications enabled. Step 4: Tap on the three-dot icon and remove them (It will again ask for notification permission when you visit the website). Use Block option to block such notifications completely.
Block Pop-Ups and Redirects From Websites
By default, Google allows Pop-ups and redirects for all websites. The behavior might make sense for bank websites where they redirect you to the loan details page or reward store. But for most websites, you should disable the option. You can visit a website and tap on the lock icon in the address bar. Select Block from the Pop-ups and redirects option. You can also perform the same actions from the Google Chrome Settings menu. Follow the steps below. Step 1: Open Google Chrome and tap on the three-dot menu at the upper right corner and select Settings. Step 2: Go to Privacy and security and select Content > Pop-ups and redirects from the side menu. Step 3: Turn off the Allow option. Add the relevant websites in the below exception menu.
Use Guest Mode or Profile Switcher
If you are using Google Chrome on a single PC among the family members, then you might receive notifications from services such as Google Drive, Google Docs, etc. from other users’ profiles. Let me share my scenario. I share my Windows laptop with my wife. She uses Google apps such as Google Docs and Google Drive on Google Chrome for personal stuff. When I use Google Chrome on the same laptop using her account, I occasionally receive Google Docs and Google Drive notifications of Doc comments or edit permission notifications. In such cases, it’s not advisable to turn off notifications from such service. To avoid such situations, you should use Guest mode or add another profile to the Google Chrome browser. You can tap on the profile icon in the search bar and use Google Chrome as Guest. If you are planning to use it regularly, then select add > write account name, select relevant picture. It will open a separate Google Chrome profile and ask you to sign in using Google account credentials. The next time when you open the web browser, make sure that you are using your profile for surfing so that you can avoid notifications from other profiles.
On Android Phone
The notification situation is even worse on the Android as notifications from websites can quickly fill up the notification area on the OS. My mother’s Android phone remains full with notifications from Chrome websites as she unknowingly allows websites to send notifications. On mobile, you might get Content suggestion notifications based on your usage. Follow the steps below to disable the Chrome notifications on Android phones. Step 1: Open the Google Chrome browser and tap on the three-dot menu at the above. Step 2: Dive into Settings > Notifications and it will open the system notification panel to adjust. Step 3: You can disable Content Suggestion notification. Step 4: Scroll down to the site notification menu. Step 5: Here, you will see the list of websites sending you notifications. Step 6: You can completely disable the category or disable notifications for individual websites. There is no such issue on the Google Chrome app for iOS.
Improve Your Google Chrome Experience
Follow the steps above and disable notifications, pop-ups, redirects on Google Chrome for Windows, macOS, and Android. While you are at it, do make an exception for certain websites such as your local bank, essential instant messaging apps like WhatsApp, and Guiding Tech. Next up: Microsoft Edge is a shiny new browser from the software company. Read the comparison below with Google Chrome to choose a better web browser for you. The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
