How Do I Restrict Websites on Google Chrome?

February 26, 2023February 26, 2023 Kelly Z.

The internet is a great source of information and entertainment, but it can also be a distraction. You may want to block websites on your Chrome browser for several reasons, including if you have children who might be viewing inappropriate content or if you need to protect yourself from malware. Fortunately, it’s easy to do!

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How do I restrict websites on Google Chrome?

The answer to this question is a little tricky, because there are different ways to block websites on Chrome. Some people have a router that blocks sites, but others use an extension on their computer to block specific websites.

1. The Hosts File

To block a website on your computer, you will need to make changes to the hosts file in your operating system. This will block access to the website on all other computers using the same network. You can do this by right-clicking on the file and opening it in Notepad, or by using a browser extension like Chrome’s “Block Site” that can be downloaded from the Chrome Web Store.

2. The Content Restrictions Setting on your router

If you have a WiFi-ready router, you can easily block websites from being loaded by all of your WiFi-connected devices. The process depends on your router, but it involves logging into your router’s settings page and scrolling down to the “Block Sites” section.

3. The SafeSearch feature on your Chrome account

If the site you want to block is linked to Google, you can activate the “Safe Search” feature in your Chrome browser. This will automatically filter explicit content from your Google searches, making it safer for you and your children to browse the web.

4. The Chrome Extension You Can Try

If you want to block a few sites on your Chrome browser, you can try the free version of the “BlockSite” extension. This tool can be installed from the Chrome Web Store and works with any device running the browser.

5. The Chrome Extension You Can Try

If a website you’d like to block is not listed in the BlockSite extension, you can use a third-party website blocking tool. These tools can allow you to add unlimited websites and apps to blacklists, schedule them, block only trusted sites, and track your activities. Some even include parent controls and work focus features.

6. The Screen Time Password

If your kids are a part of your workplace’s Screen Time program, you can block websites on your Chrome browser by adding them to the Screen Time password list. This is an effective way to limit distracting websites on your computers.

7. The Blocked Sites App

There are a few apps available for Android that can help you block websites on your phone. One of the most popular is the “BlockSite” app.

The extension is a free app that lets you add a number of websites to a blocked list and prevents them from loading on your phone. There’s a paid version, too, which lets you add up to 6 sites.