How to Block Websites on Chrome

Chrome doesn't have a built-in website blocker. But there are several ways to add one, ranging from simple extensions to system-level blocking that works even if you switch to another browser.

Method 1: Chrome extensions

The easiest approach. Install an extension like BlockSite, StayFocusd, or LeechBlock, add the sites you want to block, and you're done.

Popular options:

• BlockSite - simple UI, scheduling, password protection
• StayFocusd - time limits per site, nuclear option
• LeechBlock - rule-based, very configurable

The catch: You can disable or uninstall any Chrome extension in about 5 seconds. Go to chrome://extensions, flip a toggle, and the blocking is gone. You can also open an incognito window, which disables extensions by default. These extensions are suggestions, not blocks.

Method 2: Chrome enterprise policy

Chrome supports managed policies that can block URLs at the browser level. On macOS, you can create a policy file:

sudo defaults write com.google.Chrome URLBlocklist -array \
  "twitter.com" "reddit.com" "youtube.com"

This is harder to bypass than an extension because you need terminal access and admin privileges to change it. But it only affects Chrome. You can still access blocked sites in Safari, Arc, or Firefox.

Method 3: OS-level blocking (works everywhere)

The most effective approach blocks websites at the operating system level, which means every browser is affected, including Chrome, Safari, Arc, Brave, Edge, and any other app that connects to the internet.

You can do this manually by editing your /etc/hosts file, or you can use an app like Sloth that does it automatically with added protections.

Sloth blocks at three levels:

• DNS (hosts file) redirects blocked domains to localhost
• Firewall (packet filter) blocks the IP addresses of those domains
• Browser redirect catches any attempt and shows a blocked page

This works in Chrome, Safari, Arc, Brave, Edge, and any other browser. You can't bypass it by switching browsers, opening incognito, or disabling extensions, because the blocking happens below the browser.

Which method to use?

If you just want to block a site in Chrome and don't care about other browsers, a Chrome extension works. If you actually want to stop yourself from accessing distracting sites regardless of which browser you use, OS-level blocking with something like Sloth is the way to go.