What blocking a website actually does

Blocking a website means preventing it from loading when you try to visit it in your browser. The block happens on your device, not on Google's servers — Google itself has no "block list" feature. Instead, you use tools built into your browser or install software that intercepts web requests before they reach the site.

The blocked site will not load at all. Instead, you will see an error message or a custom block page, depending on which method you use. The site cannot tell that you blocked it — from its perspective, your browser straightforward never made a request.

This is different from removing a site from your search results (which you can do in Google Search settings) or reporting a site to Google as harmful. Blocking prevents you from reaching the site yourself.

Key Takeaways

  • Browser extensions like BlockSite and LeechBlock are the simplest way to block websites on any browser, and they let you set schedules and password-protect your block list.
  • Chrome, Firefox, and Safari do not have built-in website blocking, so you must use an extension or your device's parental controls.
  • If you are blocking sites for a child, your device's parental controls (Screen Time on Mac, Family Link on Android) are more reliable than browser extensions alone.
  • Blocking works only on the device where you set it up — if you block a site on your laptop, it will still load on your phone unless you block it there too.

Using a browser extension to block websites

Browser extensions are the fastest way to block sites yourself. BlockSite and LeechBlock NG are the most common choices and work on Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. Both let you type in the web addresses you want to block, set times when the block is active, and password-protect your block list so you cannot accidentally unblock a site in a moment of weakness.

To install BlockSite on Chrome: open the Chrome Web Store, search for "BlockSite", click the extension by the developer BlockSite, and click "Add to Chrome". A popup will ask you to confirm — click "Add extension". The BlockSite icon will appear in the top right of your browser. Click it, then click the plus sign to add a website address. Type the full address (for example, reddit.com) and click "Block". The site will not load the next time you try to visit.

LeechBlock NG works the same way but gives you more control over timing. You can set it to block certain sites only during work hours, or only on weekdays. This is useful if you want to allow yourself access to a site outside certain times. Install it the same way from the Firefox Add-ons store or Chrome Web Store, click the icon, and add sites to your blocklist.

Both extensions will show you a block page when you try to visit a blocked site. You can customize what that page says, and you can set a password so that unblocking a site requires entering a code you have written down and stored somewhere safe.

Blocking websites on your device instead of your browser

If you want blocking to work across all browsers and apps on your device, use your operating system's built-in parental controls or screen time settings. This is more reliable than browser extensions because a determined user cannot straightforward switch to a different browser to get around the block.

On Mac, open System Settings, click "Screen Time" in the sidebar, then click "App Limits" or "Communication Limits". You can set downtime (when the device is locked entirely) or app limits (when specific apps or categories stop working). To block specific websites, click "Content & Privacy", then "Content Restrictions", then "Web Content". Choose "Limit Adult Websites" or "Allowed Websites Only" (the latter blocks everything except sites you add to a whitelist). You can set a Screen Time passcode so changes require a password.

On Windows, open Settings, go to "Accounts", then "Family & other users", and click "Manage family settings online". This opens Microsoft Family Safety, where you can set web and app limits. You can block specific sites by clicking "Web filtering" and adding addresses to a blocklist. The person whose account you are managing will see a block page when they try to visit.

On Android, use Google Family Link. Install the app on both your device and the child's device, set up a supervised account, and open Family Link on your device. Tap the child's account, go to "Controls on Google Play", and turn on "Manage apps & games". Then go to "Settings" and "Controls on Google Play" to set app restrictions. Website blocking on Android is less direct — you can restrict Chrome usage during certain hours, but blocking specific sites requires a third-party app like BlockSite installed on the child's device.

On iPhone and iPad, open Settings, tap "Screen Time", then "Content & Privacy Restrictions". Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions, then tap "Web Content". Choose "Limit Adult Websites" and add specific sites to the "Never Allow" list. Set a Screen Time passcode to prevent changes.

Blocking websites through your router

If you want to block sites for everyone on your home network, you can do it at the router level. This blocks the site on any device connected to your Wi-Fi, including phones, tablets, and computers.

Log into your router's admin panel by opening a browser and typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 (check your router's manual for the exact address). Enter your router's username and password (often "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and the password on the router's label). Look for a section called "Parental Controls", "Access Control", "Website Filtering", or "Content Filtering" — the exact name varies by router brand.

Add the website addresses you want to block. Some routers let you block by category (adult sites, gambling, social media) as well as by specific address. Save your changes. The next time someone on your network tries to visit a blocked site, they will see an error message from the router instead of the site loading.

Router-level blocking is the most comprehensive because it works on every device and every browser, and users cannot bypass it by installing a different browser or changing their device settings. The downside is that it blocks the site for everyone on the network, and if you forget the router password, you may need to reset the router to change the settings.

Why blocking does not work across all your devices

A block you set up on your laptop will not automatically appear on your phone or tablet. Each device has its own browser and its own settings. If you block a site on Chrome on your Windows computer, it will still load on Chrome on your Android phone unless you block it there too.

This is why router-level blocking is useful if you want one rule for your whole household. If you want to block a site only for yourself, browser extensions are simpler because you only have to set them up once per browser.

If you use the same browser account across devices (for example, you sign into Chrome with your Google account on multiple computers), some extensions will sync your blocklist across devices. Check the extension's settings to see if this option is available.

What to do if you cannot unblock a site

If you set a password on your block list and forgot the password, you have a few options. For browser extensions, you can uninstall the extension entirely (which removes all blocks) and reinstall it fresh. For device-level controls, you may need to reset your device or contact the person who set up the account.

On Mac, if you forgot your Screen Time passcode, you can reset it by going to System Settings, clicking "Screen Time", clicking "Change Screen Time Passcode", and answering your security questions. On Windows, you can reset Family Safety restrictions by signing into your Microsoft account on the Microsoft Family Safety website. On iPhone, you can reset Screen Time passcode through your Apple ID if you have two-factor authentication set up.

If you set up router-level blocking and forgot the password, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds (check your router's manual for the exact location and timing). This will erase all settings, including the block list, so you will need to set up your Wi-Fi password again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone bypass a block I set up?

It depends on the method. Browser extension blocks can be bypassed by uninstalling the extension, switching to a different browser, or using a VPN. Device-level and router-level blocks are harder to bypass but not impossible for someone with technical knowledge. If you are trying to enforce a block on someone else's device, password-protecting the settings makes it much harder to remove.

Will blocking a website slow down my internet?

No. Blocking happens after your device tries to connect, so there is no speed difference. Your browser straightforward does not load the page once it reaches the blocked site.

Can I block a website on just one Google account?

Not through Google itself — Google does not have account-level website blocking. You can block sites through your browser (which is tied to your browser profile, not your Google account) or through your device's parental controls (which are tied to your user account on that device).

What is the difference between blocking a site and removing it from my search results?

Removing a site from search results means it will not appear when you search on Google, but you can still visit it directly by typing the address in your browser. Blocking a site prevents you from visiting it at all, whether you search for it or type the address directly.

If I block a site on my home Wi-Fi, will it stay blocked when I use mobile data?

No. Router-level blocks only work on devices connected to that Wi-Fi network. When you switch to mobile data, the router block no longer applies. To block a site on mobile data, use a browser extension or your device's parental controls.