5 Useful Safari Extensions to Try Now

The extensions detailed below are all accessible through the Safari Extensions Gallery.

Safari’s extension ecosystem continues to grow, offering users increased functionality and customization options.

Duplicate Tab Button

A Safari extension I find consistently useful is Thiemo's Duplicate Tab Button. As the name suggests, its function is straightforward: it replicates the tab that is currently in focus.

The duplicated tab is then opened, either within the same browser window or in a completely new one.

Prior to discovering this extension, I frequently encountered situations where I needed to perform an action on a webpage – such as composing a comment – while simultaneously needing to reference the original content.

Streamlining Workflow

With Duplicate Tab Button, this process is greatly simplified. A page can be instantly duplicated and transferred to a secondary monitor, facilitating tasks like comment writing without losing sight of the source material.

This extension represents a small, yet remarkably effective, addition to my browsing toolkit.

It’s a powerful solution to a common problem, enhancing productivity with its simplicity.

GToolbar

For individuals who frequently utilize Google’s suite of services, BBShare Networking has created a GToolbar for the Safari browser. This toolbar mirrors the functionality of similar extensions available for Firefox.

While adding a slight visual dimension to Safari, the GToolbar offers quick-access icons to a comprehensive range of Google’s widely-used platforms and destinations.

Key Features

• Google Search: Direct access to the primary Google search engine.
• YouTube: A dedicated icon for immediate navigation to YouTube.
• Gmail: Streamlined access to your Google email account.
• Google Reader: Quickly check your RSS feeds.
• Google Voice: Manage your Google Voice account with ease.
• And More: The toolbar encompasses a multitude of other Google services.

Although the GToolbar introduces some interface clutter within Safari, it presents a more efficient method for reaching specific Google websites.

It offers a faster alternative to manually typing URLs or navigating through bookmarks to access these popular services.

The extension is designed to enhance the user experience for those deeply integrated into the Google ecosystem.

KeySearch: A Streamlined Search Extension

The KeySearch extension presents an alternative method for conducting online searches. It functions by accepting a keyword associated with a specific website, for instance, "youtube," coupled with a desired subject, and initiating the search upon pressing the Return key.

This process directs the user to the specified website and automatically executes the search query. Consequently, it eliminates the necessity of consistently relying on Google for all search operations.

Creating Custom Keywords

A significant advantage of KeySearch lies in its capability to establish custom keywords for frequently visited websites. To illustrate, to define a keyword for MakeUseOf, simply proceed to the search bar on a MakeUseOf page.

Then, either right-click or Control-click within the search box and select "Create keyword for this search" from the presented menu.

Managing and Utilizing Keywords

The system will then prompt you to assign a name to your newly created keyword, such as "muo."

Subsequently, instead of initially visiting MakeUseOf.com to perform a search, you can directly type "muo [followed by your search term]" and press Return. KeySearch will then navigate you to MakeUseOf and execute the search automatically.

Users can modify and oversee their keyword configurations by selecting "Edit Keywords" within the KeySearch toolbar.

ResizeMe 1.0

A common inconvenience encountered during web browsing involves the need to repeatedly adjust browser window sizes to properly view page content. This issue is particularly noticeable on laptops and devices with smaller displays.

For users facing this challenge, the ResizeMe extension offers a potential solution. Upon installation and activation, clicking the ResizeMe icon within the Safari toolbar will automatically adjust the current Safari window to a pre-defined size.

Configuration

The desired window size is configured through the ResizeMe preference settings. These settings can be accessed by navigating to Safari > Preferences > Extensions > ResizeMe.

Users can customize the window dimensions to their preferred specifications, ensuring optimal viewing without manual resizing. This streamlines the browsing experience and enhances usability.

ResizeMe provides a convenient method for maintaining consistent window sizes, improving the overall efficiency of web browsing on smaller screens.

Cultivating Focused Online Habits

The internet serves as an expansive repository of knowledge and a diverse source of entertainment. However, this accessibility can frequently lead to significant distractions, particularly when habitually visiting platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

For individuals struggling with excessive time spent on specific websites, the Mindful Browsing extension offers a potential solution. This tool functions by presenting a notification when a user attempts to access a pre-defined blocked site, indicating the duration of the restriction.

While the warning can be overridden, it serves as a crucial reminder of the user's commitment to curtailing their online habits. Initiating a break from platforms like Facebook, even for a period of three days, can be facilitated by implementing Mindful Browsing.

Additional Safari Extensions

Beyond Mindful Browsing, several other Safari extensions can enhance the browsing experience. These include tools designed for specific functionalities.

• Cloudy: Provides convenient access to weather information.
• Facebook Ads Blocker: Eliminates advertisements displayed on Facebook.
• YourVersion: Simplifies the process of sharing content across various social networks.

We encourage readers to share their preferred Safari extensions and describe their usage. Further reviews of Safari extensions are available on our site, found here and here.