The Chrome Web Store is the official place to find extensions

The Chrome Web Store is where Google hosts extensions that have passed basic safety checks. You reach it by opening Chrome, clicking the three-dot menu in the top right, selecting "Extensions," then "Manage extensions," and clicking the blue "Open Chrome Web Store" button. You can also go directly to chromewebstore.google.com in any browser.

Every extension listed there has been reviewed by Google before publication, which means malware and obvious scams are filtered out. That does not mean every extension is well-made or trustworthy — reviews, user count, and the developer's history matter. An extension with 50,000 users and mostly five-star reviews is a safer bet than one with 12 users and no feedback.

The Web Store shows you what permissions each extension requests — for example, whether it can read your browsing history or see what you type. Before you install, scroll down to the "Permissions" section and read what access it wants. If an extension asks to see everything you do online but claims to be a straightforward dictionary tool, that is a red flag.

Key Takeaways

  • The Chrome Web Store is the safest source because Google reviews extensions before they go live, though you should still check user reviews and permissions.
  • You can install extensions directly from the Web Store with one click, and Chrome will update them automatically.
  • Third-party sites sometimes host extensions, but installing from outside the Web Store removes Google's safety review and automatic updates.
  • Developer websites occasionally offer extensions directly, which can be legitimate but requires you to trust the developer's security practices.
  • If an extension disappears from the Web Store, it stops updating on your computer, which can create security gaps over time.

How to search and filter extensions in the Web Store

The Web Store search bar at the top lets you type what you need — "password manager," "ad blocker," "grammar checker." Results show extensions ranked by relevance, and you can sort by rating, number of users, or newest first. The filters on the left side let you narrow by category: productivity, shopping, developer tools, and others.

When you find an extension that interests you, click it to see the full page. Read the description, look at the screenshots, and scroll down to see user reviews. Pay attention to recent reviews — an extension that worked well two years ago might have changed. Look for reviews that mention specific problems: "stopped working after the last update," "now shows ads," or "slows down my browser."

Check how many users have installed it and when the developer last updated it. An extension with 100,000 users updated last month is more likely to be maintained than one with 200 users and no updates in a year. Click the developer's name to see their other extensions — a developer with multiple well-reviewed tools is usually more trustworthy than a one-off project.

Installing and managing extensions from the Web Store

To install an extension, open its Web Store page and click the blue "Add to Chrome" button. A popup will appear showing what permissions it needs. Click "Add extension" to confirm. The extension icon will appear in your toolbar — usually in the top right corner of Chrome, next to the address bar.

Chrome updates extensions automatically in the background, so you do not have to do anything to keep them current. You can see which extensions are installed by clicking the puzzle-piece icon in the top right (if you do not see it, click the three-dot menu, go to "Extensions," and toggle "Show extensions menu").

To remove an extension, right-click its icon and select "Remove from Chrome," or go to the Extensions page, find the extension, and click the trash icon. Removing an extension when ready stops it from running, and Chrome will not load it again unless you reinstall it.

Why you should avoid installing extensions from other websites

Some websites offer Chrome extensions outside the official Web Store. These might be developer sites, GitHub repositories, or third-party read sites. Installing from these sources means you bypass Google's review process, and you lose automatic updates — you have to manually read and install new versions yourself.

Without automatic updates, security holes in old versions stay unfixed. If the developer stops maintaining the extension, you are stuck with whatever version you have, even if it becomes incompatible with new Chrome updates. Some third-party sites also bundle extensions with unwanted software or modify them before hosting them.

There are rare cases where a legitimate developer distributes an extension outside the Web Store — for example, a company might distribute a tool only to its employees. In those cases, the developer should provide clear instructions and explain why they are not using the official store. If you cannot find that explanation, assume the extension is not trustworthy.

What happens when an extension is removed from the Web Store

If an extension disappears from the Web Store, it stays installed on your computer, but Chrome stops updating it. This creates a security risk because the extension will not receive bug fixes or patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities. Over time, it may also stop working as Chrome itself updates.

You will not get a warning that an extension has been removed — you have to notice on your own. If you rely on an extension and it suddenly stops working, check the Web Store to see if it is still there. If it is gone, uninstall it and look for a replacement that is still actively maintained.

Developers remove extensions for various reasons: they might stop maintaining the tool, get acquired by another company, or violate the Web Store's policies. If you find an extension you love, check its review page occasionally to make sure the developer is still updating it.

Using developer tools and GitHub for advanced users

If you are comfortable with code, you can load extensions directly from a folder on your computer using Chrome's developer mode. This is useful for testing extensions you are building or using experimental versions that are not yet on the Web Store. Go to the Extensions page, toggle "Developer mode" in the top right, and click "Load unpacked" to select a folder containing the extension files.

GitHub hosts many open-source Chrome extensions where you can see the source code, report bugs, and sometimes contribute fixes. These are usually maintained by individual developers or small teams. You can read the code and load it in developer mode, but you are responsible for keeping it updated — you have to check GitHub regularly and read new versions yourself.

Developer mode extensions do not update automatically, so use this approach only if you understand the risks and are willing to maintain the extension yourself. For most people, the Web Store is the simpler and safer choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to install extensions from the Chrome Web Store?

The Web Store is safer than other sources because Google reviews extensions before they are published. However, safety is not may provide — read user reviews, check what permissions the extension requests, and stick with extensions that have many users and recent updates. Avoid extensions with few users, old reviews, or suspicious permission requests.

Can I install the same extension on multiple computers?

Yes. If you sign into Chrome with your Google account on another computer, your extensions will install automatically. You can also manually install the same extension on as many computers as you want — there is no limit. Each installation is independent, so settings you change on one computer do not affect others.

What should I do if an extension I use stops working?

First, check if the extension is still on the Web Store and if the developer has released an update. If it is gone or outdated, uninstall it and search the Web Store for a replacement that does the same thing. If the extension is still there and updated, try disabling it and re-enabling it, or uninstalling and reinstalling it.

Can I trust extensions with only a few reviews?

New extensions naturally have few reviews, so a small number is not automatically a problem. Look at what those reviews say — are they specific and recent, or vague and old? Check when the extension was last updated and whether the developer has other extensions. If the few reviews are negative or the extension has not been updated in months, look for an alternative.

Do I need to pay for extensions?

Most extensions are free. Some developers offer paid versions with extra features, and you will see the price clearly on the Web Store page before you install. Free extensions may show ads or ask for donations, but the Web Store does not allow extensions to charge you without your knowledge.