How to block YouTube on Google Chrome
Watching a single video on YouTube can quickly send you down a rabbit hole of ‘related’ videos. Much like social media sites, YouTube can end up costing time, often more than social media sites if you end up watching particularly longer videos.
Block YouTube on Google Chrome
YouTube is hard to avoid; many websites embed YouTube videos and suggested videos show up at the end. If you often find yourself watching one too many YouTube videos, it may be better to block it altogether. In Google Chrome, you can do so by installing an extension.
Block YouTube on Chrome – Extension
In order to block YouTube on Chrome, you need an extension that can block content. BlockSite: Block Websites & Stay Focused is an excellent choice.
- Download and install BlockSite: Block Websites & Stay Focused from the Chrome Web Store.
- Once installed, you will have to agree to the extension’s terms and conditions.
- Visit YouTube.
- Click the extension’s icon next to the URL bar.
- In the pop-up that opens, click Block this site.
- YouTube will be blocked.
BlockSite: Block Websites & Stay Focused is free to use for up to six websites. You can block YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit, and two other websites of your choice on the free plan. If you need to block additional websites, you can either upgrade or you can block YouTube (and other websites) from the hosts file.
Block YouTube – Hosts file
A hosts file is present on both Windows and macOS systems.
The hosts file on Windows 7, 8/8.1/10/11 can be found at:
C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc\hosts
The hosts file on macOS can be found at:
/private/etc/hosts
Use Command+G in Finder and paste the path to open the Hosts file
The hosts file can be edited in any basic text editor. On Windows, you can use Notepad. On macOS, you can use TextEdit.
- Open the hosts file in a text editor.
- Enter a new line at the very end (do not add a # sign before the line)
- Enter 127.0.0.1 on the line.
- Press the Tab key.
- Enter youtube.com
- Go to the next line.
- Enter 127.0.0.1 on the line.
- Press the Tab key.
- Enter www.youtube.com.
- Save the file.
- Clear the browser cache.
- YouTube will be blocked.
You can repeat this for as many websites as you want to block.
Conclusion
If you decide to block YouTube (and other websites) using the hosts file, make sure you back up the original file first. If you want to unblock a website, you need only remove the lines you’ve added in the hosts file. Make sure you save the change, and make sure you clear your browser’s cache after editing the file.
