What a shortcut is and why you'd want one
A shortcut in Google Chrome is a clickable icon that takes you directly to a website. Instead of typing a web address or searching for a site each time, you click the shortcut and Chrome opens that page. Shortcuts appear on your Chrome home page — the blank screen you see when you open a new tab.
The main reason to add shortcuts is speed. If you visit the same five or ten websites every day, shortcuts save you typing and searching. They sit right in front of you when you need them.
Shortcuts are stored only on the device where you created them. If you use Chrome on your phone and your laptop, you'll need to add the same shortcuts on both devices separately. They do not sync across devices the way your bookmarks can.
Key Takeaways
- You create a shortcut by visiting a website, right-clicking its name or logo on the page, and selecting "Add shortcut" from the menu.
- Shortcuts appear as small tiles on your Chrome home page when you open a new tab, and you can rearrange them by dragging them around.
- You can rename a shortcut to anything you want — the name does not have to match the website's actual name.
- Deleting a shortcut removes it from your home page but does not delete the website or your browsing history.
How to add a shortcut from a website you're already visiting
The easiest way to add a shortcut is while you're on the website itself. Open the website in Chrome. Look at the top left of the page, where you'll see the website's name or logo.
Right-click on that name or logo. A small menu will pop up. Look for the option that says "Add shortcut." Click it. A box will appear asking what you want to name the shortcut — it usually fills in the website's name by default, but you can change it to anything you want. Click "Add" and you're done. The shortcut now appears on your Chrome home page.
If you don't see "Add shortcut" in the menu, the website may not allow shortcuts. This is rare, but it happens with some sites. In that case, use the bookmark method instead (see below).
How to add a shortcut using your bookmarks
If right-clicking the website name doesn't work, you can create a shortcut from a bookmark instead. First, bookmark the website: click the star icon in Chrome's address bar (the long field at the top where the web address appears), then click "Save."
Next, open a new tab in Chrome. In the bottom right corner, click the three dots (the menu button). Select "Shortcuts" and then "Manage shortcuts." A panel will open showing your bookmarks. Find the bookmark you just created, and toggle the switch next to it to turn it on. The shortcut will now appear on your home page.
Renaming and organizing your shortcuts
Once a shortcut is on your home page, you can change its name. Right-click the shortcut tile itself and select "Edit shortcut." Type in a new name and click "Done." This is useful if the website's real name is long or confusing — you can shorten it to something that makes sense to you.
You can also move shortcuts around by dragging them. Click and hold a shortcut, then drag it to a new position on your home page. Chrome remembers the order you arrange them in.
Removing a shortcut you no longer need
Right-click any shortcut on your home page and select "Remove." The shortcut disappears from your home page when ready. This does not delete your browsing history, your bookmarks, or anything else — it only removes the tile from your new tab page.
If you change your mind later, you can add the shortcut back the same way you added it the first time.
Shortcuts versus bookmarks: what's the difference
A bookmark is a saved link that lives in Chrome's bookmark bar or bookmark menu. A shortcut is a tile on your home page that appears when you open a new tab. Both take you to the same website, but they work differently and appear in different places.
Bookmarks are better if you want to organize links into folders or if you want them always visible in a bar at the top of your browser. Shortcuts are better if you want quick access to your most-visited sites and you like a clean, visual home page. Many people use both — bookmarks for organized storage and shortcuts for the sites they visit most often.
Troubleshooting shortcuts that won't appear
If you added a shortcut but it's not showing up on your home page, check whether shortcuts are turned on. Open a new tab, click the three dots in the bottom right, and select "Shortcuts." Make sure the toggle next to "Show shortcuts" is switched on. If it's already on, try refreshing the page by pressing Ctrl+R (or Cmd+R on Mac).
If a shortcut still doesn't appear after refreshing, the website may not support the shortcut feature. In that case, use a bookmark instead, which works with every website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a shortcut to a website I haven't visited yet?
Not directly. You need to visit the website first, then add the shortcut from there. You cannot create a shortcut by typing a web address alone.
Will my shortcuts appear on Chrome on my phone?
No. Shortcuts are stored only on the device where you created them. If you want the same shortcuts on your phone, you'll need to add them separately on the phone's Chrome app.
Can I change the picture that shows on a shortcut?
Chrome uses the website's logo or icon automatically. You cannot upload a custom picture for a shortcut, but you can rename it to anything you want.
What happens if a website shuts down after I add a shortcut?
The shortcut will stay on your home page, but clicking it will show an error message saying the site cannot be reached. You can delete the shortcut at any time by right-clicking it and selecting "Remove."