Safari’s Reader mode is a way for users to peruse a webpage without distractions from ads, videos, sponsored content links, and other web elements you may not consider essential to the article you are reading.
In Safari 10 (the version that comes with macOS Sierra), Reader mode has to be enabled manually (View > Show Reader or press Shift-Command-R). With Safari 11 in macOS High Sierra and Sierra, you can set the browser to open most pages in Reader mode. (Some pages, like the homepage of news sites, can’t be opened in Reader mode. But the individual articles can.)
Here’s how to set Reader mode in Safari 11. What this will do is open any pages that are Reader compatible in Reader mode when you visit a particular website.
Editor's note: This how-to originallly posted using the High Sierra public beta. It was updated using the final released version of Safari 11.
Set Reader mode for a website
1. Go to a website you want to configure for Reader mode. We’ll use macworld.com in this example. Right-click the URL box and select Settings for This Website, or go to Safari > Settings for This Website.
2. A large pop-up will appear underneath the URL box. Look for the header that reads, “When visiting this website.” If you want Reader mode to always work on this site, check the box for “Use Reader when available.”
The easiest way to enable Reader View in Safari on Mac is to click the Reader View button in the URL text field in your browser window. It's on the left side of the URL text field. You can also manually select websites that are currently open from the Preferences section of your Settings on Mac.
As I mentioned before, some pages, like top homepages, won’t open in Reader. It usually works with article pages.
3. Click anywhere else on screen to exit the pop-up. You’re done.
Manage your Reader websites
Adobe Reader For Mac
If you want to see what websites you’ve set for Reader, or you want to adjust your settings, here’s how.
1. Go to Safari > Preferences.
2. In the Preferences window, click on the Websitesicon at the top.
Update Safari Browser For Mac
3. Click on Reader in the left column.
4. In the box to the right, you will see a list of websites for which Reader has been set. To turn on/off Reader, click the pop-up menu to the right of each website and select either On or Off.
Screen Reader For Mac Safari Search
5. At the bottom of the preference window is an important setting. “When visiting other websites” basically allows you to determine if any website you visit opens in Reader mode. Select On or Off.
6. Close the window when you’re all set.