Key takeaways:
- No built-in way to hide the Perplexity AI news section
- Use a browser extension to remove it from the web version
- Works only on desktop browsers, not on mobile or desktop apps
Ever get tired of that Perplexity AI news bar hogging the bottom of your screen? I get it. It’s distracting, mostly US-focused, and honestly, it just clutters up the space if you’re using Perplexity for work or research. If you’re looking for a way to make it disappear, you’re not alone. I’ll walk you through a simple fix that actually works—no coding, no hacks, just a browser extension and a few clicks.
Table of Contents
- Why the Perplexity AI News Section Won’t Go Away by Default
- Using a Chrome Extension to Remove Annoying Web Elements
- What About Other News Bars or Annoying Widgets?
- Why Not Just Use Ad Blockers?
- What If You Don’t Use Chrome?
- What About Mobile or Desktop Apps?
- Other Ways to Clean Up Your Browser Experience
- FAQs
- How do I hide the Perplexity AI news section without an extension?
- Will this method work on the Perplexity mobile app?
- Do I need to pay for the extension?
- Can I use this trick on other websites?
- Will this break the site or make Perplexity stop working?
Why the Perplexity AI News Section Won’t Go Away by Default
So here’s the deal: Perplexity doesn’t give you a toggle or setting to turn off the news section at the bottom of the search bar. There’s no hidden menu, no advanced setting, nothing. The devs just haven’t added that option yet. If you’re not interested in US-centric news or you just want a cleaner workspace, you’re stuck with it—unless you use a workaround.
Using a Chrome Extension to Remove Annoying Web Elements
This is where browser extensions come in. If you’re on Google Chrome or any Chromium-based browser (like Edge or Brave), you can use an extension to zap the news section. The one I use is called Click to Remove Element. It lets you pick any part of a webpage and hide it for good.
If you’re new to browser extensions, check out how to manage extensions in Google Chrome. It’s super straightforward.
Step-by-Step: Clean Up Your Perplexity Homepage
- Go to the Chrome Web Store
Head to chromewebstore.google.com. - Search for “Click to Remove Element”
This extension is lightweight and does exactly what it says. - Install the Extension
Click “Add to Chrome” and then “Add extension.” You’ll see a little icon pop up in your toolbar. - Pin the Extension for Easy Access
Click the puzzle piece icon, find Click to Remove Element, and pin it. Makes things easier later. - Refresh Your Perplexity Page
Just to make sure the extension loads up with the page. - Activate the Extension
Click the extension icon. Your cursor will change, letting you select elements to remove. - Remove the News Section
Hover over the news bar at the bottom, click it, and—boom—it’s gone. - Make the Change Permanent
If you refresh the page and the news bar comes back, open the extension’s settings and enable the “Remember” option. Then repeat the removal step. Now it’ll stay gone, even after you reload. - Done!
Enjoy a distraction-free Perplexity homepage.
Quick Tips
- This method only works on the web version. If you’re using Perplexity on mobile or through a desktop app, you’re out of luck for now.
- If you ever want the news bar back, just disable or remove the extension.
What About Other News Bars or Annoying Widgets?
If you’re dealing with similar annoyances on other sites, this extension works there too. For instance, if you use Yahoo and want to get rid of their news feed, check out how to remove Yahoo News. The process is pretty much the same.
For Android users, if you’re annoyed by persistent search bars or widgets, see how to remove the Google search bar in Infinix XOS Launcher.
Why Not Just Use Ad Blockers?
Ad blockers can sometimes hide parts of a page, but they’re not always precise. Plus, the Perplexity news bar isn’t an ad, so most blockers won’t touch it. Extensions like Click to Remove Element give you full control.
If you’re interested in blocking ads on other platforms, see how to disable ads on a specific website.
What If You Don’t Use Chrome?
If you’re on Firefox, there are similar extensions—just search for “element zapper” or “remove element” in the Firefox Add-ons store. The steps are basically the same.
What About Mobile or Desktop Apps?
Right now, this trick only works on the web version. If you’re using the Perplexity desktop app or the mobile app, there’s no way to hide the news bar. Hopefully, the devs will add that option in a future update.
If you’re looking for ways to tweak other apps or remove suggestions, check out how to remove application recommendations in Infinix XOS Launcher.
Other Ways to Clean Up Your Browser Experience
Want to make your browser even cleaner? Here are a few more tips:
- How to disable page prediction on Google Chrome
- How to reset Google Chrome to its default settings
- How to make Chrome consume less memory
- How to disable suggestions and autocomplete from Chrome
FAQs
How do I hide the Perplexity AI news section without an extension?
You can’t. There’s no built-in setting for it right now.
Will this method work on the Perplexity mobile app?
Nope, this only works in web browsers on desktop.
Do I need to pay for the extension?
No, Click to Remove Element is free.
Can I use this trick on other websites?
Yes, you can zap almost any annoying element on any site.
Will this break the site or make Perplexity stop working?
No, it just hides the news bar. Everything else works as usual.
Hope this helps you get a cleaner, less distracting Perplexity experience! If you want more browser tips, check out how to disable autoplay video on Facebook or how to stop annoying notifications. If you’re looking for ways to remove other unwanted stuff from your screen, you’ll find tons of guides on my site. 😎
