If you use Google Chrome as your browser of choice, you know that Chrome’s extensions provide a certain level of versatility. Basically, they’re add-ons to your browser, which can perform a number of functions. They’re mostly used for enriching your browsing experience or adding new features to your browser that might not be available on other platforms. Here are four useful browser extensions to help you get the most out of Chrome.

Text Mode
Sometimes it’s difficult to browse the Internet with the plethora of images, videos, and other distractions across every web page you visit. This is especially true when you need to use it for work purposes, like researching a particular topic in your industry. This is where the text-only mode in the Text Mode extension for Google Chrome comes into play. It blocks out pictures and images so all you see is the text on the page, making it a valuable tool when you need to concentrate. In fact, you’ll notice that the page loads faster than ever before thanks to it not needing to load images and all of that other stuff that could bog down the page.

AdBlock
Have you ever been frustrated with online ads? These get in the way of browsing videos on YouTube, and can even pop up when you least expect it while navigating a news site. AdBlock does exactly what its name implies, removing ads from both web pages and YouTube videos. This allows for seamless productivity without ads knocking on your door every given second.

Lightshot
Did you know that your Windows PC has the ability to take screenshots by using the PrtScn key? Lightshot takes it a step further by allowing you to crop the area of the screen which you want to take a screenshot of. Furthermore, you can write text on it, draw lines or shapes, and even point at specific parts of the selection with ease. Once your screenshot looks to your liking, you can either upload it to the Internet, or you can save it locally on your PC. This makes troubleshooting PC troubles much easier, since you can provide a visual representation of what’s going on to your IT support team.

Google Cast
If you haven’t heard of Google’s Chromecast in the past, it’s a device that plugs into your television’s HDMi port and allows you to send content from your browser to the device. This effectively allows you to share content to your TV screen, be it the office conference room or your home’s living room. Google Cast is an application which easily allows you to broadcast your browser screen to your television screen. It works with several entertainment applications like YouTube and Netflix, as well as Google Docs, making it an ideal tool for both collaboration and fun.

What are some of your favorite Google Chrome extensions? Let us know in the comments.