Block Websites
How to Block Adult Websites on Google Chrome
Set up multiple layers of effective adult website blocking in Google Chrome. Prevent bypass of blocking and filtering.
If you're trying to block adult websites while using Chrome, I recommend a multi-layered approach. In addition to some of the standard ways to block adult content traditionally (by toggling on SafeSearch for example), there are other, more powerful ways that are significantly harder to undo later. Many of these options can enabled at the same time, meaning that you can achieve a solid blocking system.
This guide will show you exactly how to block explicit websites and also close down the most common loopholes to prevent bypass.
Choosing an Effective Blocking Approach
There are a few key tools we combine together to achieve the most adult website blocking effective setup:
- A DNS Content Policy , which can be used to protect SafeSearch settings, block all search providers other than Google, and block adult websites based on keyword or category
- Website blocker chrome extensions , which can block websites based on keywords used in the page title or in the full page URL.
- Tools that customize the Chrome browser policy which can be used to protect or block Chrome extensions, protect Chrome's SafeSearch preferences, and disable browser features that can be misued to bypass content filtering. For example, an Apple Config Generator can be used to customize Chrome policies on Mac devices.
Filter Explicit Search Results
The first (and easiest) step you can take is to limit internet search results to limit the discovery of explict websites. Google SafeSearch is a setting that can help filter out inappropriate content from your search results on Chrome. This Google search feature is intended to remove explicit images or videos, violent sites, 18+ sites, and other content that is considered adult or inappropriate.
Since you may need to account for the many differences across different device platforms, I've gone into more detail in the dedicated guide to force Google SafeSearch . Here is a summary:
It's worth noting that SafeSearch is not 100% accurate in its filtering abilities. You'll need to employ another tactics for actually stopping adult websites being visited as opposed to just limiting search results. Even if you use Google SafeSearch, you only block inappropriate search results rather than the sites themselves. I'd recommend check out my other recommendations below.
Block Websites Based on Categories
SafeSearch is great first step if you're trying to remove adult content results, but how can you block websites specifically?
The most comprehensive approach is block websites that match a specific category, like adult content or adult themes. The easiest way to do this across all of your devices is with a Content Policy .
A content policy allows you to assign an action to a specific type of content. For example, if I'm trying to block adult content, I can customize my policy to block any website that matches the adult content/adult themes categories.
Even better, you can also Enforce SafeSearch or YouTube Restricted mode with your policy, either instead of or in addition to other techniques. However, if you need a more strict approach to filtering content, combine multiple approaches at once to make it far more difficult to undo later.
Block Websites That Use Certain Keywords
Some websites might use keywords that are a strong signal for something you'd want to block.
You can also use a Content Policy to block websites based on the keywords used in the website address.
It'll look something like this:
- I don't want the ability to access any website with the "example" keyword in it's name.
- I'll create a block that checks a website domain for the "example" keyword.
- If I later try to visit "example.com" or "someexamplewebsite.com", both websites will be blocked.
This is called "Keyword Filtering", and it can be particularly effective against new websites or websites that potentially cover content you'd want to block. A more advanced version of this is called "URL Filtering", which goes a step further and blocks any keyword that appears in the entire URL in your browser's search bar.
I talk more about both of these options in the dedicated guide to filtering website keywords . Especially when it comes to URL filtering, there are many options you'll need to consider depending on which device you're using.
Filtering Image and Video Searches
Another problem you may need to consider is how you can limit images or videos that are searchable using the Google Images feature. Google Images in particular can be difficult to fully remove without causing the rest of Google Search to fail.
Similar to the topics I've discussed above, there's a lot of complexity around how to do this effectively. If you're interested, I'd recommend checking my dedicated guide to blocking Google Images if this sounds like an option for you.
Using Chrome Extensions to Restrict Explicit Content
One of the best ways to block adult websites in Chrome is by using a website blocker Chrome extension installed from the Chrome Webstore.
In contrast with a DNS blocking approach, Chrome extensions have the added benefit of being able to examine the title of a webpage and the full page URL. This makes it a powerful blocking layer that works great alongside a DNS Content Policy because it offers additional flexibility.
Since Chrome Extensions can examine titles of webpages and the full URL of a website, it's easy to make comprehensive blocking rules based on keywords to quickly block millions of adult websites and search terms used to discover explicit content.
Since there are many amazing Chrome extensions, take a look at our article comparing the best website blocker Chrome extensions to select the one you want to use.
Protect an Adult Content Blocker Chrome Extension
If you're using a website blocker chrome extension as on of your layers for blocking adult websites in Chrome, you'll want to ensure that extension can't be turned off or deleted.
It's possible to install a protected extension that can't easily be removed.
The instructions vary depending on the device you are using, so reference our dedicated guide on how to enforce a Chrome extension . In summary, you can use add a browser policy that protects a specific Chrome extension.
Restrict Conflicting Chrome Extensions
Some Google Chrome extensions allow bypassing content filtering. If you want effective adult website blocking on Google Chrome, you need to limit which Chrome extensions can be added.
It's possible to block all Chrome extensions other than your approved list, which comprehensively restricts access to conflicting Chrome plugins.
The exact steps depend on the device you are using, so reference our browser extension blocking guide for the exact steps. In summary, you can add a browser policy that restricts installation of Chrome extensions to a list you specify.
Increase Browsing Transparency
If you are working with an Accountability Partner or loved one to break habits online, another option you can consider is to make your browser more transparent.
By more transparent, I mean removing features that could be used to hide browsing activity, like:
- Deleting Search and Browsing History
- Using Incognito Windows
- Using Guest Profiles or adding new Browser Profiles
Most browsers have all of these features enabled by default, but it possible to disable these features in such a way that it can't be re-enabled later through your browser's settings. Many of these restrictions work on other browser too, like Safari or Microsoft Edge.
Learn how to disable these features in my dedicated guide to disabling incognito mode and private browsing.
You can take this a step further and monitor websites visited using DNS Traffic Logs. If you've connected your devices to a Content Policy , you can choose to examine DNS logs, which will show a list of websites visited.