Use incognito windows

Do you use the Incognito Window in Google’s Chrome browser? Somehow I missed this for way too long after I started using Chrome.

The Incognito Window gets rid of all cookies, logins, or anything identifying you to a website. You’re, you know, incognito.

I use the incognito window daily, for all manner of reasons.

Three ways to use incognito mode

1. When working on client projects and needing to log into a web-based application, and you’re already logged into as yourself (like any social media account).
2. To see your blog (or a client’s blog) the way any user sees it, not how you see it when logged in.
3. When you don’t want a search to be influenced by past search or recommendations. Or to see if you’ll get different coupon offers on many retailers’ sites by being a “new” guest, rather than a frequent searcher.

Using incognito windows saves time spent logging out of any and every app or site, and avoids, “Wait, which user am I logged in as?” or “Is that really what they’re seeing, or is that a setting on my end?

To open an incognito window in Google Chrome select File -> New Incognito Window. Learn more about incognito windows directly from Google.

How can I tell if I’m in regular mode or incognito mode? When you’re incognito, you’ll see a sneaky dude in a hat and sunglasses in the right top corner of your browser window.

Have you used incognito mode? What other uses do you find helpful?

This post is part of 31 Timesaving Tools, Tips & Templates, read the rest of the series here.