{"id":20117,"date":"2011-08-04T22:17:18","date_gmt":"2011-08-04T16:47:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/?p=20117"},"modified":"2026-10-13T13:39:57","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T08:09:57","slug":"enable-instant-pages-on-google-chrome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/08\/enable-instant-pages-on-google-chrome\/","title":{"rendered":"Chrome Instant Pages Is Now Preload Pages: How to Turn It On (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Looking for Instant Pages in Google Chrome? In 2011, Chrome&#8217;s Instant Pages started loading the top search result before you even clicked it, and we showed how to switch it on. That feature still exists, but it&#8217;s now called <strong>Preload pages<\/strong>, and it lives in Chrome&#8217;s Performance settings. Here&#8217;s how to turn on Chrome preload pages in 2026, what Standard and Extended preloading do, and when you might want to turn it off.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-63761\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/chrome-preload-pages-1024x538.webp\" alt=\"Chrome preload pages (formerly Instant Pages)\" width=\"760\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/chrome-preload-pages-1024x538.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/chrome-preload-pages-300x158.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/chrome-preload-pages-150x79.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/chrome-preload-pages-768x403.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/chrome-preload-pages.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> To turn on preload pages in Chrome (the successor to Instant Pages), open <strong>Settings &gt; Performance<\/strong>, switch on <strong>Preload pages<\/strong> under Speed, and choose <strong>Standard preloading<\/strong> or <strong>Extended preloading<\/strong>. You can also paste <code>chrome:\/\/settings\/performance<\/code> into the address bar to go straight there.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ad8e93336c9e\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ad8e93336c9e\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/08\/enable-instant-pages-on-google-chrome\/#What_happened_to_Chrome_Instant_Pages\" >What happened to Chrome Instant Pages?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/08\/enable-instant-pages-on-google-chrome\/#How_to_turn_on_preload_pages_in_Chrome\" >How to turn on preload pages in Chrome<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/08\/enable-instant-pages-on-google-chrome\/#On_Windows_Mac_Linux_and_ChromeOS\" >On Windows, Mac, Linux and ChromeOS<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/08\/enable-instant-pages-on-google-chrome\/#On_Android\" >On Android<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/08\/enable-instant-pages-on-google-chrome\/#Standard_vs_Extended_preloading\" >Standard vs Extended preloading<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/08\/enable-instant-pages-on-google-chrome\/#Other_Chrome_speed_settings_worth_checking\" >Other Chrome speed settings worth checking<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/08\/enable-instant-pages-on-google-chrome\/#For_website_owners_make_your_pages_load_instantly\" >For website owners: make your pages load instantly<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/08\/enable-instant-pages-on-google-chrome\/#Frequently_asked_questions\" >Frequently asked questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/08\/enable-instant-pages-on-google-chrome\/#Is_Chrome_Instant_Pages_still_available\" >Is Chrome Instant Pages still available?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/08\/enable-instant-pages-on-google-chrome\/#Does_preloading_pages_use_more_data\" >Does preloading pages use more data?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/08\/enable-instant-pages-on-google-chrome\/#Is_preloading_pages_safe_for_privacy\" >Is preloading pages safe for privacy?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/08\/enable-instant-pages-on-google-chrome\/#Why_is_Preload_pages_greyed_out\" >Why is Preload pages greyed out?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happened_to_Chrome_Instant_Pages\"><\/span>What happened to Chrome Instant Pages?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Instant Pages was Chrome&#8217;s 2011 feature that pre-rendered the first Google result while you typed, together with Google Instant, which showed results as you typed. Google retired Google Instant in 2017, but the idea of loading pages before you click lived on. Today Chrome uses <strong>preloading<\/strong>: it fetches or even fully renders pages it predicts you&#8217;ll open next, from the address bar, Google search results and links on sites that support it.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_turn_on_preload_pages_in_Chrome\"><\/span>How to turn on preload pages in Chrome<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"On_Windows_Mac_Linux_and_ChromeOS\"><\/span>On Windows, Mac, Linux and ChromeOS<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li>Click the three-dot menu at the top right of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/chrome\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Google Chrome<\/a> and choose <strong>Settings<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Select <strong>Performance<\/strong> in the left menu.<\/li>\n<li>Under <strong>Speed<\/strong>, switch on <strong>Preload pages<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Pick <strong>Standard preloading<\/strong> or <strong>Extended preloading<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"On_Android\"><\/span>On Android<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Tap the three-dot menu &gt; <strong>Settings<\/strong> &gt; <strong>Privacy and security<\/strong> (or <strong>Performance<\/strong> on newer versions) &gt; <strong>Preload pages<\/strong>, then choose an option. On iPhone and iPad, Chrome uses Apple&#8217;s WebKit engine and doesn&#8217;t offer the same setting.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Standard_vs_Extended_preloading\"><\/span>Standard vs Extended preloading<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Standard preloading:<\/strong> preloads some pages you&#8217;re likely to visit. Cookies are only used for preloading if you&#8217;ve visited the site before. It&#8217;s the default for most people.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Extended preloading:<\/strong> preloads more pages, and may send page requests through Google&#8217;s servers to keep your identity private from the sites. It&#8217;s faster but uses more data and memory.<\/li>\n<li><strong>No preloading:<\/strong> pages load only when you click. Choose this on metered connections or low-memory devices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Other_Chrome_speed_settings_worth_checking\"><\/span>Other Chrome speed settings worth checking<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Memory Saver:<\/strong> frees memory from inactive tabs so active tabs stay fast.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Energy Saver:<\/strong> limits background activity on battery.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Update Chrome:<\/strong> go to <strong>Settings &gt; About Chrome<\/strong>; new versions often bring speed improvements.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Remove unused extensions:<\/strong> extensions are one of the biggest causes of a slow browser.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"For_website_owners_make_your_pages_load_instantly\"><\/span>For website owners: make your pages load instantly<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Sites can ask Chrome to prerender likely next pages with the <a href=\"https:\/\/developer.chrome.com\/docs\/web-platform\/prerender-pages\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Speculation Rules API<\/a>, a modern version of the Instant Pages idea. WordPress 6.8 added speculative loading for links by default, so many WordPress sites already preload pages when visitors hover over links. Faster navigation also helps your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2020\/05\/core-web-vitals\/\">Core Web Vitals<\/a>, and modern protocols like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2015\/02\/http2-faster-web\/\">HTTP\/2<\/a> help too.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_asked_questions\"><\/span>Frequently asked questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_Chrome_Instant_Pages_still_available\"><\/span>Is Chrome Instant Pages still available?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Not by that name. The feature evolved into Preload pages in Chrome&#8217;s Performance settings.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_preloading_pages_use_more_data\"><\/span>Does preloading pages use more data?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, a little, because Chrome loads some pages you may not open. Turn it off on limited data plans.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_preloading_pages_safe_for_privacy\"><\/span>Is preloading pages safe for privacy?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Standard preloading limits cookies to sites you&#8217;ve visited. Extended preloading can route requests through Google to hide your IP from sites, but Google sees the requests.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_is_Preload_pages_greyed_out\"><\/span>Why is Preload pages greyed out?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Your organisation may manage the setting, or Data Saver\/Lite mode may be on. Check chrome:\/\/management.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Looking for Instant Pages in Google Chrome? In 2011, Chrome&#8217;s Instant Pages started loading the top search result before you&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":63761,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[49],"class_list":["post-20117","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-google","tag-tutorials"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20117","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20117"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20117\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65410,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20117\/revisions\/65410"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/63761"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20117"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20117"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20117"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}