To add shortcuts to Chrome new tab, you need to use the "Add shortcut" feature rather than trying to edit the automatic "Most Visited" section. This is the only way to manually pin your favorite websites for quick access on the New Tab page.
Why you can't manually add to 'Most Visited' in Chrome
Many users assume they can directly edit the "Most Visited" section, but this is a common misconception. Chrome's "Most Visited" section is an automatic, history-based list that cannot be directly edited. It displays websites you frequent based on an internal algorithm that monitors visit frequency, session duration, and recency. You cannot manually add, pin, or reorder sites within this section, it updates itself based solely on your browsing behavior. If you clear your browsing data, previously removed "Most Visited" sites may reappear, as this action resets Chrome's history-based list. For true manual control, you need to use the separate "Shortcuts" feature.
How to add shortcuts to Chrome new tab page
The primary method for adding shortcuts to Chrome new tab is straightforward and gives you full control over which sites appear. This is part of customising the Chrome homepage and shortcuts.
- Open a new tab in Chrome.
- Click the "Add shortcut" button (represented by a plus icon) located below the search box.
- In the "Add shortcut" window, enter a "Name" for the shortcut and the website's "URL".
- Click "Done".
The website now appears as a shortcut tile on your New Tab page. These custom shortcuts will remain in place until you edit or remove them, unlike the automatic "Most Visited" list.
Switch between 'My shortcuts' and 'Most visited sites'
You can choose whether your New Tab page shows your manually added shortcuts or Chrome's automatic suggestions. Open a New Tab page and click "Customize Chrome" (a pencil icon) at the bottom right. Under the "Shortcuts" option in the panel, you can select "My shortcuts" to view your manually added sites or "Most visited sites" for Chrome's automatic suggestions. You can also hide all shortcuts (both types) by turning off the "Show shortcuts" toggle within the same menu.
How to edit or remove a shortcut
Managing your pinned sites is simple. Hover over a shortcut tile, click the three-dot "More" menu that appears, and choose "Edit shortcut" to change the name or URL. Select "Remove" to delete the shortcut entirely. This works for both custom shortcuts and individual "Most Visited" sites, though removing a "Most Visited" site is temporary, it may return based on your browsing history.
Use the bookmarks bar for quick access
If you prefer an alternative access point, the Bookmarks bar provides a customizable toolbar below the address bar. Enable it by clicking the three-dot menu, selecting "Bookmarks", and ensuring "Show bookmarks bar" is checked. Visit the website you want, click the star icon at the right end of the address bar, and in the dialog box, select "Bookmarks bar" from the folder dropdown. The bookmark then appears as a clickable link on the toolbar, which you can drag to reorder. This method complements the New Tab shortcuts and gives you another way to reach your favorite sites quickly.
