Do you want to block a website on Google Chrome to focus more on your work and increase your productivity? Would you like to restrict access to some websites to protect your kids from certain content? You might have faced a situation where you are looking for how to block websites on your browser.

Actually, there are many methods you can use to block a website on Google Chrome. Some people may block it manually by editing the Hosts file. Other people may make changes to the router settings. However, using a Chrome extension is the easiest way to block a website. Let’s dive deep into this method and explore how to do it.

Why Do We Need to Block Websites?

Before that, let’s discuss the main reasons that make us block a website. They include:

  1. Malicious websites: We all know computer viruses may slip through antivirus software and harm our devices. So, blocking these websites is a must. Site blockers are great for avoiding such websites that contain malware.
  2. Focus mode: Blocking distracting websites while you are working is also recommended. With fewer distractions on your phone or computer, you can increase your productivity.
  3. Parental control and content restrictions: You might also want to restrict access to some websites that contain sensitive information or content. For example, if you have kids, you can limit access to adult websites to protect your young ones.

How to Get a Chrome Extension That Can Block a Website

Since using an extension is easy, many people may ask how they can block a website on Google Chrome using a Chrome extension. First, make sure you get an extension by applying the following steps:

  1. Visit Chrome Web Store.
  2. Click on Extensions in the top left.
  3. In the search bar in the top-left corner, type Block Site.
  4. Flick through the various extensions available on Google Web Store. They include BlockSite, Block Site Ex, Voat, and a9 Web Protection.
  5. Stick to the ones featured by Google to benefit your computer more, and be aware that some of them may require a subscription. It is recommended to try the free version before deciding to pay for it.
  6. Once you click on the preferred site blocker, you will see a blue button in the top-right corner saying Add to Chrome.
  7. Pressing this button will give you a pop-up message saying Add Extension.
  8. A message with the extension policy will pop up when you click this button. Make sure you read everything before you agree.
  9. If you click on Agree, the extension will be added to your Google Chrome.

How to Block a Website on Google Chrome Using a Chrome Extension (BlockSite)

You have added an extension to block a website on your Google Chrome browser. The one we added is BlockSite. However, you can choose from several other site blockers, which are also free. Just make sure you choose wisely what you want to use. Now, let’s explore how we can use BlockSite to block websites on Chrome.

How to Block a Website on Google Chrome Using an Extension
  1. Go to the BlockSite official website.
  2. In the search bar, type in the name of the site you want to block or put its URL.
  3. Click on the green button on the right that says Add Item.
  4. The site will be permanently blocked until you decide to unblock it.

Another way you can block a website on Google Chrome using BlockSite is as follows:

  1. Access the site you want to block.
  2. Click on the little jigsaw puzzle on the top, and a drop-down menu with all your extensions will show up.
  3. Select the name of your site blocker.
  4. On the pop-up message, click on Block this site.
  5. Refreshing the page, you will find that the website is blocked.

Plans of BlockSite

If you decide to go unlimited, just click on the blue button at the bottom, which says Go Unlimited. They have different plans so that you can choose your preferred one. You could pay annually, semi-annually, or monthly.

  • By choosing the free basic option, you could get limited block lists and insights.
  • Going unlimited costs $3.99 per month. This option is ads-free and allows you to password-protect a website. It will also give you unlimited block lists and insights. On top of that, you will have a redirected block page or focus mode and category blocking. You will also have the option of blocking by words.
  • You cannot run the free three-day trial if there is a promotional code. Type the promo code and get around 35% off for the actual trial. In the free trial period, you can block only three websites.

Premium Features of BlockSite

Now, you have paid for the extension. What will you get then? Let’s take a further look at BlockSite Premium and see what it has.

  • BlockSite Premium allows you to protect a website with a password.
  • You can choose what you want to whitelist and blacklist.
  • There is a custom block page. So, you can enter your customised text and upload any image of your choice to display to the user who attempts to access a blocked website.
  • You will have some categories, like gambling, social activities, shopping, and sports. For example, if you enable category blocking and select the adult category, it would block all adult websites that could do with any area restricted to people over 18.
  • You can also block certain keywords you may not like. This feature allows you to block specific words without blocking the whole website.
  • There is also a focus time that you can use if you want to increase your productivity. It allows you to schedule things and determine how long you want a website to be blocked. For example, you can block a distracting website while you are working and unblock it during your break time. If you set up your extension to block every distracting website from 8 am to 8 pm, it will unblock these websites automatically after 8 pm. It also allows you to change the number of cycles it runs through.

How To Password-Protect a Website on Chrome Using BlockSite

Let’s explore how we can password-protect a website using BlockSite. It allows you to password-protect a website instead of blocking it so that only trusted users can access it. Follow the steps below:

  1. Select your extension from the extensions bar at the top.
  2. Click on the Settings icon in the pop-up message.
  3. Select Password Protection from the left sidebar menu.
  4. Tick the box beside Require password to access blocked sites.
  5. Enter the verification email and password.
  6. Click on Save.

How to Block a Website in Chrome’s Incognito Mode Using BlockSite

BlockSite can also block a website in Incognito mode. Incognito mode is a browsing feature that makes you invisible to other device users. It allows you to surf the internet without recording your search history, cookies, and other data. To block a website in Incognito mode, follow the steps below:

  1. Click on the little puzzle piece at the top and select your extension.
  2. Press on the Settings icon in the pop-up message.
  3. Then, click on Settings in the left sidebar menu.
  4. Finally, click on the Enable in Incognito Mode button at the top-right corner.

How to Remove the Extension of BlockSite

If you choose to remove BlockSite, it is very simple. On Google Web Store, type in the name of your site blocker (i.e. BlockSite) and select it. Click on the blue button that says Remove from Chrome at the top-right corner. The Chrome extension will be uninstalled, and all the blocked websites will work properly. To add the extension back, just click on Add to Chrome, and it will be re-installed.

How to Block Websites on Chrome Using an Extension (Site Blocker)

Let’s check another free Chrome extension, Site Blocker. Add Site Blocker to Chrome as an extension, as mentioned before, and let’s find out how it works.

  1. Go to the website you want to block.
  2. Click on the little jigsaw puzzle at the top and select the name of your site blocker.
  3. Make sure the URL is on the pop-up message. Then, click on Add to Block List.
  4. If you refresh the page, the website will be blocked.
  5. If you delete the extension and reload the page, the blocked website will run properly again.

All in All

In today’s digital world, the Internet has become a significant global hub of knowledge. However, it is a double-edged sword, as it also has bad content, spreads malicious files, and distracts workers. So, it is a perfect idea to block such websites using BlockSite or similar extensions. In this article, we discussed how to get a Chrome extension and how to block a website on Google Chrome using this extension. Want to explore more methods? Check out our article about how to block a website on Chrome.

If you have any questions or comments, do not hesitate to leave them below.

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