For those who primarily use Google Chrome on a computer, the easiest way to get the browser to read content is by using extensions. One of the more popular ones that convert text to speech is Speechify. Here’s how you can set it up:
- Launch Google Chrome and on a new tab, go to chromewebstore.google.com.
- Search for Speechify, click Add to Chrome, and confirm the action by hitting Add Extension.
- Once fully installed, a new Speechify tutorial page may open. Run through it to get the basics on how to use the extension.
- To use Speechify, you’ll have to create a Speechify account using Google credentials. For ease of use, use the Google account you have connected to Google Chrome. Click Continue With Google and follow the onscreen instructions.
After creating an account, you’ll be led to Speechify’s dashboard, where you can upload documents you want the browser to read aloud. However, there won’t be a need to do that. While the Speechify Chrome extension is enabled, when you visit a website that has readable content, playback controls should appear on the side of the page. To start the playback, just hit the play button. You can customize certain playback controls, such as speed or voice style. Alternatively, if you want to play a certain portion of the text, just hover over the area and hit the play button that should appear next to the selected paragraph.