How to Block a Specific Website in Google Chrome Using an Extension

If you are trying to study or work on a critical project, the temptation to open a new tab and scroll through Twitter or Reddit can completely derail your productivity. While Google Chrome does not feature a native URL blocker built into its core settings, you can easily add this functionality using a free, third-party browser extension.

By installing a tool like “BlockSite,” you can forcefully prevent yourself from accessing specific distracting domains during your scheduled work hours.

How to Install and Configure BlockSite

1. Open Google Chrome and navigate to the Chrome Web Store (chrome.google.com/webstore).
2. In the top-left search bar, type BlockSite and press Enter.
3. Click on the official “BlockSite: Block Websites & Stay Focused” extension (it features a red shield icon).
4. Click the blue Add to Chrome button. (Click “Add extension” on the pop-up prompt).
5. Once installed, Chrome will automatically redirect you to the BlockSite setup page. Accept their terms of service to proceed.

How to Block a Website

Now that the engine is running in the background, you must manually add the distracting websites to your personal blocklist.

1. Look at the top-right corner of your Chrome browser (next to the address bar) and click the Puzzle Piece icon to open your extensions list.
2. Click on BlockSite to open its main control panel.
3. You will see a text box labeled “Block a site.” Type the exact domain you want to block (for example, reddit.com or facebook.com).
4. Click the green + (Plus) button next to the text box.

The website is now officially blacklisted. To test it, open a brand new Chrome tab and attempt to navigate to the website you just blocked. Instead of loading the webpage, Chrome will instantly intercept the connection and display a large BlockSite warning page featuring a humorous cartoon image, reminding you to get back to work.

To unblock the website later when your work is finished, simply return to the BlockSite control panel, hover over the blocked URL in your list, and click the red trash can icon to instantly delete it from the blacklist.