Google Chrome is arguably the most popular web browser. Whether you want to increase your productivity at work or you want to set up parental control for your child, there are ample reasons why you would want to block some websites on your Chrome browser.
In this article, we will walk you through some useful steps to block websites on Google Chrome and turn yourself into a productivity powerhouse.
1. Block Site Extension for Chrome
Block Site is an extension that enables to easily block distracting website and helps you stay focused. Follow the below steps to use this extension.
- Go to Chrome Web Store
- Click Add extension to Download and install Block site.
- Once the extension is installed, you will see a Block Site icon on the top of the Chrome browser.
- Open a website which you want to blacklist. Click the Block Site icon on the top right of the page and click Block this site button.
- To unblock the website, launch block site extension and click Edit list on the top of the page.
- Click the minus button beside the blocked site to unblock.
2. Use Parental Control to block websites on Google Chrome
When it comes to Parental Control Software, Net Nanny is the most popular one. This software can be used to block certain websites to protect your child. You can use this software to monitor your child’s activity, and add control what websites you want them to view. Get this software here.
- Add websites to the restricted sites On Chrome
- This method doesn’t require to install an addon. It is an in-built feature that can be used to easily block a website.
- Launch the Google Chrome browser and navigate to Settings from the browser menu.
- Select Advanced and click System under the Advanced menu.
- In the System page, click option open proxy settings
- Go to Security tab and select Restricted Sites.
- Now click Sites button under Restricted sites and type URL’ of the site which you want to block in a new window that opens.
- To unblock the website, simply select the website name and hit the remove button.
3. Use UBlacklist to block websites on Chrome browser
UBlacklist is yet another impressive Chrome extension that helps you block the distractive stuff. The best part is that this extension also blocks the websites from appearing on your search results. All you need to do is add the extension.
Once added you will see “Block this site” next to the URLs. Clicking on this option will banish the website from appearing on search results.
Managing the blocked websites is pretty easy too. Right click on the uBlacklist icon and select Options. It is here that you can remove sites from the blacklist, add sites and also sync the list on Google Drive.
4. Block websites on Chrome by editing Host File in Windows
In a Windows system, you can block any websites by editing a Host file. Follow the below steps to block websites by editing the Windows hosts file. We have a complete Host file editing tutorial for Win/Max/Linux, but here’s the condensed version for Windows:
- Navigate to the following path
C:\Windows\system32\drivers\etc
- Select the Host file and right click on it.
- Open the file with Notepad.
Scroll down to the bottom of the Host file and type “127.0.0.1” followed by the website address which you want to block. You can add any many sites as you want in the same manner. Please, note to skip the phrase “www” or https in front of URL.
Wrapping Up
Internet is a wild place. It is very easy to get distracted and carried away. Most of the social media services like Facebook are designed to fight for your attention. Using the above steps can help you overcome online addiction and abstain from the distractions before the distractions control your life.
Lastly, blocking websites is an important way of protecting your children from online predators and sites with explicit content. I use website blocking on Chrome to block addictive websites and this helps renew my focus on work and stay productive.
Filed in . Read more about Chrome and Productivity.