How to Block Websites on Chrome: 6 Methods Compared

Key takeaways

• An extension is the fastest method: it installs in a minute and can be removed in one click.
• Extensions do not run in Incognito unless you turn on Allow in Incognito for each one.
• Chrome's URLBlocklist policy blocks sites without any extension, using the registry or Group Policy.
• The hosts file blocks a site in every browser, but only the exact domains you list.

Methods compared

A website blocker is the only method that is difficult to bypass.

1. Use a Chrome extension

Chrome extensions such as BlockSite and LeechBlock NG add a block list to Chrome. Most add schedules or daily time allowances.

1. 1.Open the Chrome Web Store and select Add to Chrome on the extension.
2. 2.Add the sites you want to block in the extension's settings.
3. 3.Open chrome://extensions, select Details on the extension, and turn on Allow in Incognito.

Limits: it only works in Chrome, and it can be removed from the extensions page in one click.

2. Use Chrome's URLBlocklist policy (no extension)

Chrome's URLBlocklist policy stops listed sites from loading. It is designed for managed computers, but works on your own Windows PC.

On any Windows edition, using the registry

1. 1.Press Windows + R, type regedit and press Enter.
2. 2.Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies. Create a key named Google, inside it a key named Chrome, and inside that a key named URLBlocklist.
3. 3.In URLBlocklist, create a String Value named 1 with the site as its value, for example example.com. Add 2, 3 and so on for more sites.
4. 4.Restart Chrome and open chrome://policy to confirm the list is active.

On Windows Pro, using Group Policy: install Google's Chrome policy templates, open the Group Policy Editor, go to Administrative Templates > Google > Google Chrome, and enable Block access to a list of URLs.

Chrome shows that it is managed once a policy is set.

Limits: it only affects Chrome, and anyone with administrator access can delete the values.

3. Edit the Windows hosts file

The hosts file stops a site from loading in every browser on the computer.

1. 1.Open Notepad as an administrator.
2. 2.Open C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts.
3. 3.Add both versions of each site on their own lines: 0.0.0.0 example.com and 0.0.0.0 www.example.com.
4. 4.Save the file, then run ipconfig /flushdns in Command Prompt.

Limits: it only blocks the exact domains you list, it has no schedules, and it can be edited back in a minute.

4. Use a DNS filter

A DNS filter blocks whole categories of sites, such as adult content or malware, for every browser on the device or network. CleanBrowsing, OpenDNS FamilyShield and Cloudflare for Families are free.

In Chrome, open Settings > Privacy and security > Security and keep Use secure DNS on your current service provider, or turn it off. A different provider there sends Chrome's lookups past the filter.

Limits: it blocks categories, not a specific site you choose, and the setting can be changed back.

5. Use Family Link for a child's account

Family Link lets a parent block specific sites in Chrome for a child's Google account, or allow only approved sites. Incognito mode is turned off while the child is signed in.

Limits: it only applies to a supervised child account, and Google notes that on Windows, Mac or Linux computers a child can sign out of Chrome and switch to other profiles where the settings do not apply.

6. Use a website blocker that covers every browser

A dedicated blocker applies the same blocks in Chrome, Incognito and other browsers, and the blocks cannot be edited or removed until they end.

Ascension is a website blocker built for this.

Price: 15-day free trial, then $12.99/month or $50 one-time.

1. 1.Install Ascension and add its extension to Chrome and your other browsers.
2. 2.Add a website, or just one section of a site such as youtube.com/shorts.
3. 3.Choose Always block, a Scheduled block, or a daily Time limit for a whole site.
4. 4.Set the block so it cannot be edited or removed.

Limits: Windows only (iOS and Mac in development).

Which method should you use?

If you want to block sites in Chrome only, choose a Chrome extension such as LeechBlock NG or BlockSite. If you want to block sites without an extension, choose the URLBlocklist policy for Chrome, or the hosts file for every browser. If you want to block sites for a child, choose Family Link. If you want blocks you cannot remove before they end, choose a website blocker such as Ascension.

Frequently asked questions