The simplest way: use Chrome's built-in parental controls

Chrome has a supervised user feature that lets you block specific websites without installing anything extra. You set up a supervised account (usually for a child, but you can use it for yourself), and then you manage which sites that account can visit. When the supervised user tries to reach a blocked site, they see a message saying the page is blocked and cannot bypass it without the supervisor's password.

This works on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chromebooks. The blocked sites stay blocked across all devices where that supervised account is signed in. If you forget the supervisor password, you will need to reset it through your Google account recovery options, which takes time — so write it down somewhere safe.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome's supervised user feature blocks websites at the account level, so the block applies everywhere that account signs in.
  • You create a supervisor account and a supervised account, then add sites to the blocked list from the supervisor account's settings.
  • A blocked site shows an error message and cannot be accessed without the supervisor password, even in incognito mode.
  • If you want to block sites only on one device, or if you need more control over what gets blocked, use a browser extension instead.

How to set up a supervised account and block sites

Start by signing into Chrome with your main Google account (the supervisor account). Go to Settings (the three horizontal lines in the top right), then select Manage other people or People depending on your Chrome version. Click Add person, give the new account a name, and choose an icon. Do not sign in to this account yet — just create it.

Once the account exists, click on it in the People menu and select Parental controls. You will see a toggle to turn on supervision. Turn it on, and Chrome will ask you to confirm your supervisor password. After that, sign out of your main account and sign into the supervised account in Chrome.

Now sign back into your supervisor account. Go to Settings again, find Manage other people, click on the supervised account, and look for Manage sites or Blocked sites. Type in the full web address of any site you want to block — for example, reddit.com or youtube.com. Chrome will block that domain and all its subpages. The supervised account holder will see a block message if they try to visit.

Using a browser extension if you only need to block one device

If you do not want to create a separate account, or if you only want to block sites on one computer, a browser extension is faster. Extensions like LeechBlock NG, Cold Turkey Blocker, or Freedom let you add sites to a blocklist and set times when they are blocked. Some let you set a password so you cannot unblock them on impulse.

The trade-off is that extensions are easier to turn off than supervised accounts. If you have administrator access to your own computer, you can usually disable the extension or uninstall it. These work best when someone else (a parent, a partner, an accountability buddy) controls the password, not you. If you are trying to block sites from yourself, the supervised account method is stronger because you cannot disable it without the supervisor password.

What happens when you try to visit a blocked site

On a supervised account, you will see a message that says something like "This page has been blocked by your administrator" or "This site is blocked." The message appears whether you type the address directly, click a link, or search for it. You cannot click through, and you cannot access the site in incognito mode either — the block applies to the whole account.

If you are the supervisor and you need to unblock a site temporarily, you can do that from the supervisor account's settings. You remove it from the blocked list, and it becomes accessible again on the supervised account within a few minutes. If the supervised account holder tries to unblock it themselves, Chrome will ask for the supervisor password.

Blocking sites on a Chromebook at school or work

If your Chromebook is managed by a school or employer, the administrator may have already set up site blocking through the management console. You will not see the option to change it yourself — the block is enforced at the device level, not the account level. If you need a site unblocked, you have to ask the IT department or administrator.

If you own your own Chromebook and want to block sites, the supervised user method works the same way as on a regular computer. Create a supervisor account, set up supervision, and add sites to the blocklist.

Why blocking at the browser level is not as strong as other methods

Browser-level blocking (whether through Chrome's supervised accounts or an extension) only works in Chrome. If someone switches to Firefox, Safari, or Edge, the blocks do not follow them. If you are trying to prevent access on a shared family computer, this is a real limitation — the person could just open a different browser.

For stronger blocking that works across all browsers and programs, you would need to block sites at the router level (using your WiFi router's parental controls) or at the operating system level (using Windows Parental Controls or macOS Screen Time). Those methods are more complex to set up but harder to bypass.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block a website on Chrome without creating a supervised account?

Not with Chrome's built-in tools. You can use a browser extension like LeechBlock NG or Freedom, which you install directly into Chrome. Extensions are simpler to set up but easier to disable if you have administrator access to your computer.

What if I forget the supervisor password?

You can reset it through your Google account recovery process, but it takes time and requires access to your recovery email or phone number. Write down the password somewhere safe, or use a password manager to store it.

Will a VPN let someone bypass a blocked site on a supervised account?

No. Chrome's supervised account blocking happens before the browser makes a connection, so a VPN does not help. The site is blocked at the account level, not the network level.

Can I block sites only during certain hours?

Chrome's supervised accounts do not have a scheduling feature — sites are either blocked all the time or not blocked. Browser extensions like Freedom and Cold Turkey Blocker do support scheduling, so you can block sites during work hours and unblock them in the evening.

Does blocking a site in Chrome block it on my phone too?

Only if you sign into the same supervised account on your phone's Chrome app. If you sign into your main account on your phone, the blocks do not explore. To block sites on a phone, you would need to use the phone's built-in parental controls (Google Family Link on Android, Screen Time on iPhone) or a mobile-specific app.