FocusFence

2026-11-13

How to block websites in Chrome during work hours (private, no account)

Disclosure: this guide uses FocusFence, a Chrome extension we make. Schedules are part of FocusFence Pro; blocking sites all the time is free.

Blocking distractions all day is a recipe for rebellion. You end up disabling the blocker at 9 p.m. and never turning it back on. Blocking them only while you work is easier to keep up. Here's a setup that takes five minutes.

1. Pick the three sites that cost you the most

Don't start with a list of twenty. Pick the three you open on autopilot: often a social feed, a news site and a video site. FocusFence's welcome screen asks you for exactly three for this reason. You can add more later; the free tier has no limit.

Blocking a domain also blocks its subdomains, so reddit.com covers old.reddit.com and m.reddit.com.

2. Set your focus hours

In Settings → Schedule, add one or more time ranges:

Outside these ranges, blocking pauses automatically. You don't have to remember to switch it on and off.

3. Add sprints for deep work

Start a focus session (Pomodoro: 25 minutes focus, 5 minutes break, 4 rounds). During focus, everything on your list is blocked, even outside your schedule. The time left shows on the toolbar icon.

4. Make "just once" harder

Strict mode locks your settings for a set time (1 to 24 hours, or until you unlock it). While it's on, blocking can't be turned off and sites can't be removed. Ending early takes a 10-minute cooling-off period and typing a sentence exactly.

Two honest caveats: Chrome always lets you disable an extension from chrome://extensions (FocusFence pauses a timed strict session while it's off, so the clock doesn't run out), and Incognito windows are only covered if you allow the extension there.

5. Keep it private

Quick checklist