How To Block a Website on Google Chrome? 6 Quick Ways

With the plethora of websites available on the internet, the likelihood of encountering harmful, malicious, or explicit sites over which you have no control has increased.

However, the good news is that modern browsers like Google Chrome are now aware of these vulnerabilities and have begun implementing security measures. They now allow you to block or restrict access to websites you don’t want to see.

To assist you with this, we will share some of the most effective methods for blocking a website on Google Chrome. Stay tuned and read the blog till the end.



How to block a website on Chrome?

Although there are multiple ways to block a website on Google Chrome, some methods may seem difficult while others may be easier. It completely depends on your preference and which method suits you best. We will start with the easiest method and then move on to the more complex ones. So, without further ado, let’s check them out.

1. How to block a website on Google Chrome using Extension

One of the most straightforward methods to block a website on Google Chrome is by using a Chrome extension. Since Chrome doesn’t have this feature built-in yet, extensions can be very handy for beginners who prefer not to get involved in more technical aspects.

Plus, the best thing about this method is, that it can apply to any device that has Chrome browser installed irrespective of any operating system.

For this, method we are going to use a very popular website blocker plugin ” BlockSite”.

1. Go to the Chrome Web Store: Open the Chrome Web Store in your browser.

2. Search for BlockSite: Type “BlockSite” into the search bar and press Enter.

3. Select the Extension: Click on the BlockSite extension from the search results.

4. Add to Chrome: Click the “Add to Chrome” button on the top right of the page. Wait for the extension to download and install.

Installing BlockSite on chrome
Installing BlockSite on Chrome

5. Find BlockSite: After installation, BlockSite will appear in your list of Chrome extensions.

6. Block Websites: To block a website, click on the BlockSite icon in your browser. Go to “Options” and enter the URLs of the websites you want to block in the “Block Sites” tab.

Adding websites to blacklist using BlockSite Extension on Chrome
Adding websites to blacklist using BlockSite Extension on Chrome

7. Enable Incognito Mode: If you want to block websites in incognito mode too, click on the puzzle icon > Manage Extensions.

Manage Extensions on Chrome
Manage Extensions on Chrome

Now click on the Details button of the Blocksite Extension.

BlockSite Extension Details
BlockSite Extension Details

Toggle to enable “Incognito Mode.”

Enabling BlockSite in Incognito Mode
Enabling BlockSite in Incognito Mode

Also, you can directly do it by simply visiting the website you want to block,

  • Click the BlockSite icon in the top right corner of your browser.
  • Click the “Block this site” button to restrict access.
Directly Blocking Site using BlockSite Extension
Directly Blocking Site using BlockSite Extension
  • BlockSite will show a notice page once the site is added to your block list.

In addition to that Blocksite also offers you more features in this regard such as:

  • Focus Mode – In this mode, you can temporarily block websites by setting a timer. You can also choose specific times or durations to take breaks and browse freely.
  • Block by Words – This feature allows you to block websites based on certain keywords, words, or phrases in their web address.
  • Categories – You can also block websites that fall into a specific genre, or category theme such as adult content, social media, news, sports, or gambling.
  • Redirect – If you try to visit a blocked website, this feature will send you to a different website of your choice instead.
  • Scheduling – You can set specific times when website access is blocked, and at other times, you can visit these sites without restrictions.

However, the plugin has certain limitations: in its free version, you are only allowed to block three different websites. However, you can buy the premium version for unlimited website blocking and more advanced features.


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2. How to Block a website on Google Chrome using an inbuilt parental control feature?

Since the rise of illegal, malicious, and explicit websites, many modern devices and operating systems have started implementing a prominent feature called ‘parental control.’

It has turned out to be a great tool for controlling and restricting children from accessing certain websites for their well-being.

If you are a Windows user, you can access this feature and block websites by simply following the steps provided below:

Note: For Apple or MacOS users, there is no such feature available, they provide parental control but it only restricts the screen time rather than blocking the website.

  • Go to the Windows menu > Search for “Settings” > Accounts > Family & Other Users > Add a Family Member > Add Account.
Windows Parental Control
Windows Parental Control
  • Click on the “Create one for a child” link. Complete the account setup by providing the necessary details for the child’s account and link it to your Microsoft account.
Creating Child's Microsoft Account
Creating Child’s Microsoft Account
  • Click on “Content Filter” in your child’s Microsoft account (as shown in the picture), and enter the website URLs you want to block.
Content filters in Family Safety for Microsoft's Parental Control
Content Filters in Family Safety for Microsoft’s Parental Control
  • After completing these steps, verify by switching to your child’s account and attempting to access the websites you added to the block list.

3. How to block a website on Google Chrome using its Safe Search Feature?

You can block certain websites on your Chrome browser using a tool called SafeSearch. This feature is natively available in Google search and if enabled it will block all the adult or explicit content.

To avail of this feature, follow these steps:

  • Go to your Google account settings on your computer.
  • Find the SafeSearch option and check the box that says “Turn on SafeSearch.”
Blocking a website on Google Chrome using its Safe Search Feature
Blocking a website on Google Chrome using its Safe Search Feature
  • Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click “Save.”

Once SafeSearch is on, it will hide explicit or adult content from your Google search results.


4. How to block websites on Google Chrome using Google’s Blocklist URL feature

If you are an admin for your organization’s Google accounts or the head of your family, Google offers a simple yet powerful feature called URL Blocklist in your Google Admin account.

This feature is very handy, especially if you have multiple devices linked to the same Google account. With this feature, you don’t have to manually follow the steps for each device.

To do this here are the simple steps you need to follow:

  • Go to admin.google.com in your browser and log in to your Google admin console.
  • On the dashboard, select Devices > Chrome > Settings > Users & Browsers.
Google Admin Dashboard
Google Admin Dashboard
  • Now you will have two options to choose from, one is the top organizational unit that allows you to block websites for everyone using Chrome in your organization. Another one is the “child Organizational unit” which allows you to block websites for certain users.
  • Once selected, scroll down to find the URL Blocking section and add the URLs of the website you want to blacklist or block.
Google's URL blocking feature
Google’s URL blocking feature
  • Once done, try to access the blacklisted website on Chrome to see if it’s working as expected.

5. How to block websites on Google Chrome for Android and iOS devices?

Smartphones are very convenient, and most people use them to browse content more often than desktops or PCs. However, blocking websites on these devices is not much different from the desktop method.

For Android devices, you need to install a third-party app like “BlockSite,” which also has an extension for desktops.

  • Open the Google Play Store and search for the “BlockSite” app (However, you can any of your choices) > Install the app.
  • Follow the app’s setup steps and allow it to access your privacy settings so it can block sites.
  • Tap the + CREATE button in the app.
Blocksite App for Android
Blocksite App for Android
  • Add the website you want to block by entering the URL, keyword, or app name.
  • Tap Done to finish blocking the website or app.
Adding websites to blocksite App in Android
Adding websites to blocksite App in Android

For iOS devices such as iPhones you do not have to install any third-party app, instead, the feature is available inbuilt. To do this,

  • Open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap on Screen Time.
Blocking websites on chrome for iPhone
Blocking websites on Chrome for iPhone
  • If you haven’t set up Screen Time yet, tap Turn on Screen Time and follow the steps to set it up. If Screen Time is already set up, just move on to the next step.
  • Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
  • Next, tap Content Restrictions, then go to Web Content.
  • Tap Limit Adult Websites.
Adding websites to blacklist in iPhone
Adding websites to blacklist in iPhone
  • In the Never Allow section, tap Add Website.
  • To block a website, type in its URL and then tap Done.

6. How to Block a Website on Google Chrome by Editing the Hosts File

Although this is not a direct method to block websites via the Chrome browser, it works through your operating system.

Every operating system has a built-in feature to store website information, such as domain names and IP addresses, in the hosts file. You can easily block websites by editing your hosts’ file.

In Windows OS:

  • Make a Backup: Before you start, make a copy of your host file. This way, you have a backup if something goes wrong.
  • Find the Hosts File:
    • Go to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc.
    • Open the hosts’ file using a text editor like Notepad.
Hosts file located in Windows
Hosts file located in Windows
  • Edit the File:
    • Scroll to the bottom of the file.
    • Add a new line such as 126.0.0.2 followed by the website’s domain name you want to block (e.g., 126.0.0.2 www.explicitwebsite.com).
Editing hosts file
Editing hosts file
  • Save the File:
    • Click FileSave or press CTRL + S.
    • Make sure you save it as a plain text file, not a .txt file.
  • Check It:
    • Open Chrome and try visiting the blocked website to see if it’s blocked.
    • Add more lines in the same way to block additional sites.

Note: If you can’t save the file: You may need to change the file’s permissions to make edits.

On macOS:

  • Open Terminal:
    • Go to Utilities and open Terminal.
  • Edit the Hosts File:
    • Type sudo nano /etc/hosts and press Enter.
    • Enter your administrator password when prompted.
  • Add Website to Block:
    • At the bottom of the file, add 127.0.0.2 followed by the domain name of the website you want to block (e.g., 127.0.0.2 www.explicitwebsite.com).
  • Save and Exit:
    • Press CTRL + O to save the file.
    • Press CTRL + X to exit.
  • Clear Cache:
    • To ensure changes take effect, type sudo dscacheutil -flushcache and press Enter.
  • Check It:
    • Open a browser and try visiting the blocked website to make sure it’s blocked.
    • Add more entries in the same way to block other sites.

This process helps you block websites by redirecting their addresses to your computer, making them inaccessible.


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Why you should consider even blocking websites on Chrome?

Sometimes, you might wonder why you should consider blocking websites in the first place. Blocking websites not only helps protect against exposure to illegal, explicit, or adult content but can also boost productivity.

Here are some benefits:

  • Filter Out Adult Content: You don’t want children or individuals in your organization to be exposed to explicit, sensitive, or adult content. This is especially useful for parents who want to restrict access to certain content on their children’s devices.
  • Prevent Hacking/phishing: Blocking websites can lower the risk of sensitive information being stolen from your computer. Malicious software from compromised websites can sometimes slip past antivirus programs. If you find a website suspicious, block it immediately.
  • Boost Productivity: Besides blocking explicit or malicious sites, it’s also helpful to block entertainment websites like YouTube or social media sites, which can consume a lot of time and distract users. Blocking these sites helps improve focus and overall productivity.

If you decide later that you want to access those websites and Wondering How to unblock Websites on Chrome, you can easily unblock them in Google Chrome. Just reverse the steps you followed to block the websites. It’s that simple!


Conclusion

Blocking websites is a key step to prevent underage individuals from being exposed to illegal, adult, and malicious content. In addition, it helps boost productivity, improve focus, and enhance overall well-being.

Since Chrome holds a significant share of the browser market worldwide, it’s beneficial to know how to block websites on Google Chrome. Below are seven effective methods you can use to block websites:

1. How to block a website on Google Chrome using Extension

2. How to block a website on Google Chrome without Extension

3. How to Block a website on Google Chrome using an inbuilt parental control feature?

4. How to block a website on Google Chrome using its Safe Search Feature?

5. How to block websites on Google Chrome using Google’s Blocklist URL feature

6. How to block websites on Google Chrome for Android and iOS devices?

7. How to Block a Website on Google Chrome by Editing the Hosts File

All the methods mentioned will let you block/unblock websites easily just follow the instructions given above thoroughly and you are done.

If you have any queries or suggestions, feel free to write in the comment section below.


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