Start by selecting a new background. There are a few built-in options, most of which are image collections that will show you a new photo every day. If you get bored easily, this is an easy way to rotate different and beautiful images without having to think about it much. But if you already have something in mind, you can upload an image file from your computer (including an animated GIF) and use that. Now, let’s get rid of some clutter. Under Shortcuts, you can decide what to make of the two rows of icons you see right below the search bar. You can use them to show your own customized set of webpage shortcuts, or automatically display the sites you visit most often. If neither of those options works and you just want a cleaner look, Chrome also gives you the ability to turn these icons off entirely. You can do the same with the cards that sometimes show up at the bottom of the new tab page. Click on Cards and check the bubble next to Hide to stop seeing them altogether. But if you like getting random recipe ideas, reminders of abandoned online shopping carts, or quick links to recently accessed files on your Google Drive, you can toggle the switches to all or some of the items on this list. If simplicity is the name of the game for you, just turn these two features off and you’ll have a much tidier new tab page. You won’t be able to get rid of the Google logo, the search bar, or the ads for Google products that occasionally show up at the bottom of the page. Fortunately, this is where browser extensions come in. By default, Tabliss will show you beautiful landscapes from stock photo repository Unsplash, but you can also replace the background with animated GIFs of calming textures from Giphy or a solid image of your choosing.
Tabliss
Earth View
Earth View from Google Earth is a free extension from Google that shows you a random place on our planet every time you open a new tab—it’ll always be beautiful, interesting, or both. Tabliss is free for Google Chrome. Earth View from Google Earth is free for Google Chrome. New Tab Override is free for Google Chrome.
