How to Use Reading Mode on Any Website

Learn how to use Helperbird's Reading Mode to create a clean, distraction-free reading experience. Reading Mode removes ads, sidebars, and clutter.

What is Reading Mode?

Reading Mode removes distractions from a webpage and shows you just the main content. It gets rid of ads, navigation menus, sidebars, and other elements that can make reading difficult.

The result is a clean, simple view that looks like a book or document, making it much easier to focus on reading.


Who is This For?

This feature is helpful for:

  • People who are distracted by ads and other page elements
  • Anyone with dyslexia who benefits from simplified layouts
  • People with ADHD who need fewer distractions
  • Students reading articles for research
  • Anyone who finds cluttered websites overwhelming

Step 1: Open Helperbird

Click the Helperbird icon in your browser toolbar. It looks like a small owl and is usually in the top-right corner of your browser.

This will open the Helperbird menu.


Step 2: Go to the All Features Section

Scroll down to the bottom of the Helperbird menu. You will see a section called All Features.

Click the arrow next to All Features to expand it and show all available features.


Step 3: Find Reading Mode

Look through the list of features until you see Reading Mode.

It has a document or page icon next to it.


Step 4: Click Reading Mode

Click on Reading Mode.

The webpage will transform into a clean reading view. All the ads, sidebars, navigation menus, and other distracting elements will be removed.

You will see just the main text and images from the article.


Step 5: Customize Your View

Once in Reading Mode, you can adjust how the content looks using the toolbar at the top of the page.

You can change:

  • Text size – Make the text larger or smaller
  • Font – Choose a different font that is easier to read
  • Background color – Change the background to reduce eye strain
  • Text color – Adjust the color of the text

These settings help you create a reading experience that works best for you.


Step 6: Exit Reading Mode

When you are done reading, click the X button in the top corner of the Reading Mode view.

This will return you to the normal webpage.

Tip: Reading Mode works best on articles, blog posts, and news stories. It may not work well on pages that are mostly images or interactive content.


Frequently Asked Questions

Is Reading Mode free? Yes! Reading Mode is included in Helperbird Free.

Does Reading Mode work on all websites? Reading Mode works best on articles, blog posts, and news sites. Some complex web apps, paywalled content, or image-heavy sites may not work perfectly.

Will Reading Mode save my settings? Yes, your font, color, and size preferences are saved and will be applied the next time you use Reading Mode.

Can I print from Reading Mode? Yes! You can print the clean Reading Mode view, which gives you a nicely formatted printout without ads or clutter.

What's the difference between Reading Mode and Immersive Reader? Reading Mode is Helperbird's built-in feature for clean reading. Immersive Reader is Microsoft's tool with additional features like syllable breaking and parts of speech highlighting. Both remove distractions, but Immersive Reader has more learning-focused tools.



Video Tutorial


Need Additional Help?

If you have any questions or run into any issues, please contact the Helperbird support team. You can reach us at Helperbird support. We are happy to help you get the most out of Helperbird.

Customer Testimonial

"After using Helperbird I can't say enough positive things about it. This extension has truly transformed my online reading experience. Whether it's adjusting font sizes, reducing eye strain with the gray filter, or using the dyslexia-friendly fonts, Helperbird offers a range of features that cater to individual preferences and needs. The customizable color options and text alignment have also been incredibly helpful for personalizing my browsing. And the speed reading feature? It's a game-changer! Overall, Helperbird is a versatile, user-friendly tool that enhances accessibility and makes online reading a breeze. Highly recommended!"

Profile picture of Charlie Nishelle Calkins
Charlie Nishelle Calkins
Helperbird Pro user
Helperbird logo: Stylized owl with large yellow eyes and a beige face, against a green background.

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