The internet is filled with all kind of distractions – Facebook, YouTube, Reddit, Twitter, 9GAG, StumbleUpon, just to name a few. It can be extremely hard to focus on your work when you frequently get the itch to check what’s new in your Facebook News Feed or check the latest videos uploaded by your subscriptions on YouTube.
If you are having trouble focusing on your work, then you can temporarily block distracting websites to focus on your work. If you are a Chrome user, then you can use many websites blocking extensions to block distracting websites. Below we have listed 5 Chrome extensions that will temporarily block websites on Google Chrome to help you focus on your work.
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Block Websites on Google Chrome
1. Strict Workflow
My personal favorite – Strict Workflow is a fantastic Chrome extension to keep a balance between work and break timings. By default, Strict Workflow forcefully blocks all the distracting websites for 25 min to let you work and then it lets you have a 5 min break and unblocks all the websites. This is perfect for people who want to work, but can’t control the urge to check other sites. Now you will have 5 minutes to check those new notifications quickly, and won’t get lost in the mesmerizing world of Facebook News Feed.
The work and break period can be customized according to your need, and you can edit the website block list to add or remove distracting websites. The only way to cheat the system is to get rid of the extension. If you are serious, then this extension should be able to create a balance between work and fun time.
2. StayFocusd
This is one of the most customizable extensions offering complete control over what you want to block and when. StayFocusd allows you to create a list of websites to block and customize the time of the day when these sites should be blocked or allowed. You can block websites, pages, sub-domains, content inside a page and interestingly; Chrome settings and extensions page as well.
One thing I really liked about StayFocusd is the measures it takes to stop users from cheating the system. It has an annoying protection against changing the settings that make you complete difficult tasks if you like to change the settings. For example, you will have to write up a paragraph with no typos or use of backspace if you want to unblock any website during the restriction period. Additionally, as you can block the extensions page as well, you can make it almost impossible to disable the extension.
3. Website Blocker
Although the purpose of Website Blocker is simple, it can be a little difficult to configure it. There are no buttons or plugs to create a block list and specify a time. You need to format it something like this: “youtube.com 0800-1600” to be able to block YouTube from 8 am to 4 pm. Yes, it may seem a little chore, but it also gives you more control over what you want to block and set specific intervals.
You can use this format to block all distracting websites during specific times of the day and even unblock some of them in individual intervals. There is an interesting password option that allows you access a blocked website only for 5 min if you read and type a long and complicated password. The password will surely move you away from the site, and even if you do choose to enter the password; you will only 5 min to do whatever you can.
4. Time Warp
Time Warp takes a simple yet interesting approach to block websites and help focus on the work. Instead of forcing you to work, it uses rather polite measures to get you back to work. It uses three different actions to help you focus. It can block a website and show you a custom message when you try to access the site, such as “Get Back to Work!”. Additionally, you can also configure it to redirect to a different website that is either motivational or related to your work.
These two options are good options if you are looking to block a website, but there is a third lighter option available that may entice some people. You can configure Time Warp to show a timer on distracting websites when you visit them. The timer will keep reminding you how much time you are wasting on the website. Unfortunately, Time Warp doesn’t offer any cheating protection system to stop you from unblocking websites.
5. Focus 45
There are no bells and whistles with Focus 45; you simply press a button, and you will have 45 mins of distraction-free work will all the distracting websites blocked. Once the time is up, you can access the sites again. During the 45 min if you really need to access a page, simply enter the provided code, and you will have five mins before the website is blocked again.
Focus 45 made it to this list because of its simplicity and ease of use. You can adjust the 45 min timer and even the 5min access timer. Similar to Time Warp, there is no option to stop you from unblocking a website. You can simply click on the extension button and press “Stop Focusing” to unblock all the websites.
Wrapping Up
StayFocusd is definitely the most customizable extension in this list that gives you full control and makes it hard to cheat. However, Strict Workflow deserved the first spot for its work and brake system that will make you productive. Which one of these website blocking Chrome extensions you like? Share with us in the comments.
Also Read: 5 Extension to Temporary Block Websites on Google Chrome
