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How to Blacklist Sites in Chrome

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome doesn’t have a built-in option to block websites for regular users, but you can use extensions or admin policies to blacklist sites
  • Website blocker extensions like BlockSite allow you to easily block distracting or inappropriate sites on Chrome
  • For enterprise environments, Chrome admin policies let IT admins centrally manage URL blacklists and whitelists

As a seasoned tech writer with over 8 years of experience, I’ve helped countless users and IT professionals get the most out of their web browsers. One common request is how to block certain websites on Chrome to boost productivity or enforce content filtering policies. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through several effective methods to blacklist sites in Chrome.

Using Website Blocker Extensions

The easiest way for regular Chrome users to block websites is by installing a website blocker extension from the Chrome Web Store. These handy extensions let you create blacklists of sites you want to restrict access to.

One of the most popular options is the BlockSite extension[4][5]. After installing it, simply click the extension icon and add the URLs you wish to block to your blacklist. BlockSite will then prevent those sites from loading in Chrome.

Steps to block sites with BlockSite:

  1. Install the BlockSite extension from the Chrome Web Store
  2. Click the BlockSite icon in your extensions toolbar
  3. Click “Options” and then “Block Sites”
  4. Enter the URLs you want to block, one per line
  5. Customize any additional settings like block duration or password protection
  6. Click “Save” to apply your blacklist

Another solid option is the aptly named Block Site extension[4]. It works similarly by letting you right-click on any webpage and select “Block this site” to add it to your blacklist.

The beauty of these extensions is how easy they make it to block distracting or inappropriate websites on Chrome. Most also include features like whitelisting, password protection, and scheduling to customize the website blocking experience.

Using Chrome Admin Policies (For Enterprise)

For businesses and organizations, Google provides centralized Chrome admin policies that IT admins can use to enforce URL blacklists and whitelists across managed Chrome browsers and Chrome OS devices[1].

To block websites using Chrome admin policies:

  1. Sign into the Google Admin console as a super administrator
  2. Go to Devices > Chrome > Settings > Users & browsers
  3. Select the organizational unit you want to apply the policy to
  4. Go to URL Blocking and enter URLs to block in the Blocked URLs list
  5. Optionally, enter allowed URLs in the URL Allowlist
  6. Click Save to push out the new URL blocking policies

The admin policies give you granular control over URL filtering. You can:

  • Block all URLs except an allowlist: Use the URL Blocklist to block all sites, then allowlist specific URLs
  • Allow all URLs except a blocklist: Use the URL Allowlist for open web access, then blocklist specific sites
  • Define exceptions to restrictive blocklists: Blocklist most sites, then allowlist schemes, subdomains, ports, etc.

The policies support wildcards and up to 1,000 entries each in the blocklist and allowlist. You can also set exceptions to not block core Chrome URLs like chrome://settings[1].

For added security, you can block URLs on user sign-in and lock screens using separate policies like DeviceAuthenticationURLBlocklist[1].

Blocking Sites on Routers or With Parental Controls

Two other options to blacklist websites are configuring blocks on your home router’s admin interface or using parental control software.

Many modern routers let you enter URLs to block for all devices connected to that network. This is a router-level form of URL filtering.

Parental control apps and settings also commonly include website blocking features. For example, Windows users can block adult content and specific sites through the Microsoft family safety settings[2].

The downside of these methods is they block sites universally for all users on that router or parental control profile. They lack the per-user customization of browser extensions.

Best Practices for Website Blacklisting

When blacklisting websites in Chrome, keep these best practices in mind:

  • Use Allowlists Too: In high-restriction environments, use an allowlist to specify approved sites in addition to a blocklist
  • Don’t Overblock: Avoid excessively blocking harmless sites, as this can hamper productivity and internet access
  • Leverage Scheduling: Many blockers let you schedule when blacklists are active (e.g. work hours only)
  • Educate Users: Clearly communicate which sites are blocked and the reasons why to avoid confusion
  • Review Regularly: Periodically revisit and update your blacklists as new sites emerge

By following these tips, you can effectively use Chrome’s blacklisting capabilities to boost focus and enforce content policies without being overly restrictive.

Whether you’re an individual user, parent, or enterprise admin, there are robust tools available to blacklist unwanted or problematic websites in the Chrome browser. With the right approach, website blocking can be a valuable productivity aid and security measure.

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