Hi,
I was the one who actually posted the original question. I signed up just so I can write this reply now. Thanks @
jade nicholson, I had been keep an eye on this thread but it had gotten zero responses until now.
I had actually gone to a Samsung (my phone's make) store to speak to a technician. They either a) had no idea what I was talking about, or b) thought I was so stupid I didn't know how to use Chrome. When I told them I didn't want to open multiple tabs on Chrome since it's so much more convenient to use the Google search bar app on my home page, they brushed away and shrugged that Android must have cancelled the feature during the upgrade.
I hope this isn't true and do hope someone else responses with a way to fix this issue. I've never liked those black and white sandwich cookies but man I miss Oreo.