• Productivity • Well-being •9 min read
Quick answer
How can I block a specific website?
To block a specific website, users can utilize native tools such as Screen Time on iOS, Microsoft Family Safety on Windows, or by editing the system’s “hosts” file. For more robust discipline, third-party applications like AppBlock are highly effective. These tools allow for blocking via URLs, keywords, or automated schedules. Implementing these barriers helps eliminate digital temptations like YouTube or adult content, with 95% of users reporting they save at least two hours of productive time daily.
Why We Struggle to Stay Away from Specific Sites
It often starts small: “Just one YouTube video.” Then autoplay pulls you into a long binge and your focus disappears. That’s not a willpower problem—many platforms are built to keep attention locked in.
The same pattern shows up with social feeds, video sites, and more compulsive habits like visiting adult content or porn. They’re designed for quick dopamine rewards, making “one more click” feel automatic.
And the cost is real.
Research led by Gloria Mark found that about 82% of interrupted work gets picked up again the same day, but it still takes 23 minutes and 15 seconds on average to fully get back into the task.
What are the best methods to block a website?
Blocking solutions for iOS – Mac, Ipad, Iphone (Safari)
If a user prefers to use the tools already built into their devices, both Apple and Microsoft offer integrated parental and productivity controls. Apple’s Screen Time feature includes robust “Content & Privacy Restrictions” that can block specific websites in Safari:
- Navigate to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Tap Content Restrictions and then Web Content.
- Choose Limit Adult Websites. This unlocks a “Never Allow” section where any specific URL (like youtube.com) can be manually added to the block list.
Blocking Solutions For Windows Users (Microsoft Edge)
Windows 11 users can manage website access through Microsoft Family Safety:
- In the Family Safety settings, select the relevant user profile and go to Content Filters.
- Under Web and search, enable Filter inappropriate websites.
- Specific sites can then be added to the “Blocked sites” list to ensure they cannot be accessed through Microsoft Edge.
How to block a specific website on Google Chrome
The easiest way to block a website in Chrome is by using a browser extension.
Chrome does not have a built-in tool to block websites, so extensions like AppBlock or Block Site are the best option.
These tools let you block domains, keywords, or specific pages. Advanced apps like AppBlock also allow scheduling and a Strict Mode, which stops you from turning the block off during focus time.
The easiest way to block sites with a Chrome extension
The fastest method is installing a “block site” extension from the Chrome Web Store.
Most of them are simple and let you block pages in just a few clicks.
- Open the Chrome Web Store and search for block site.
- Choose an extension (for example Block Site) and click Add to Chrome.
- Click the extension icon and enter the website URL you want to block.
- Or right-click any page and choose Block this website.
These tools are great for quick blocking, but they can be turned off easily if you lose motivation.
Stronger solution for blocking specific websites is an AppBlock
- Keyword blocking — block whole categories of sites, not just one URL
- Automatic schedules — block distractions during work hours
- Strict Mode — prevents disabling or uninstalling during a focus session
How to set up AppBlock on Chrome
- Install AppBlock from the Chrome Web Store
- Open the extension from your toolbar
- Add websites to your block list or create a schedule
- Turn on Strict Mode to lock your session
Follow our detailed guide on how to effectively use Strict Mode and Quick Block to eliminate all digital temptations.
What are the best methods to block a website?
The best method depends on the required level of strictness, ranging from simple browser settings to un-bypassable system-level blocks. While native tools offer a free starting point, they often lack the automation features found in specialized productivity software.
| Platform | Recommended Tool | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone / iPad | Screen Time / AppBlock | Restricts Safari content and specific URLs. |
| Windows 11 | Microsoft Family Safety | Filters Edge browsing and creates site blacklists. |
| Desktop Browsers | AppBlock Extension | Blocks sites and keywords across Chrome and Edge. |
| Advanced Users | Hosts File | Redirects domains at the OS level to prevent access. |
FAQ
Can I block a website for just a few hours a day?
Yes. Using AppBlock’s Schedules, one can automate website blocking during specific time windows, such as 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays, and have them automatically unblocked during personal time.
Will blocking a website also block its notifications?
On iOS 16 and above, when a specific app is restricted via AppBlock, it also blocks all incoming notifications from that app, ensuring total freedom from distractions.
How can I prevent myself from simply unblocking the site when I feel tempted?
AppBlock’s Strict Mode is designed for this exact struggle. Once activated, it prevents users from changing their blocking settings or deleting the app until the scheduled time or timer has expired, providing the necessary “friction” to stay committed to a goal.
Is it possible to block websites across all browsers at once?
Yes. While native browser settings only work for one app (like Safari or Edge), installing AppBlock on your smartphone and the AppBlock extension on your desktop ensures a synchronized defense. For a hardware-level solution, advanced users sometimes use DNS filtering or edit the “hosts” file to block a domain across the entire operating system.
Can I block websites based on specific words rather than just URLs?
Absolutely. AppBlock allows for Keyword Blocking, which is often more effective than URL blocking. For example, if you block the keyword “casino,” any website or search result containing that word in the URL will be restricted, protecting you from entire categories of distracting or harmful content with a single rule.
Can I bypass a block if there is an emergency?
If you are using Strict Mode, the block is designed to be un-bypassable to ensure discipline. However, you can configure your “Allowlist” before starting a session to ensure essential tools (like work email or emergency contacts) remain accessible while everything else is restricted.
Does blocking a website affect my search engine results?
Standard website blocking prevents the site from loading but typically won’t hide it from Google search results. However, if you use AppBlock’s Keyword Blocking with the “Anywhere in URL” setting, clicking a link from a search engine that leads to a restricted domain will result in a blocked page, effectively neutralizing the distraction.
Sources
- Google Chrome Web Store. (2026). Block Site – Website Blocker for Chrome™. Chrome Web Store. Retrieved February 20, 2026, from https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/block-site/nkedbnokglppcmiencngilkkhhnpcfjb
- Mark, G., Gudith, D., & Klocke, U. (2008). The cost of interrupted work: More speed and stress. University of California, Irvine. Retrieved February 20, 2026, from https://ics.uci.edu/~gmark/chi08-mark.pdf
- University of California, Irvine. (2020). Why attention management is the secret sauce to success during the pandemic and after. UCI News. Retrieved February 20, 2026, from https://news.uci.edu/2020/04/19/why-attention-management-is-the-secret-sauce-to-success-during-the-pandemic-and-after/
- AppBlock. (2025). How to block websites: A complete guide. AppBlock. Retrieved February 20, 2026, from https://appblock.app/how-to-block-websites/
- Microsoft Support. (2026). Filter websites and searches using Microsoft Family Safety. Microsoft. Retrieved February 20, 2026, from https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/filter-websites-and-searches-using-microsoft-family-safety-3034d91e-5efa-9fbe-1384-46009f087ccf
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