If you’re anything like us, you probably find it harder day-by-day to avoid distractions on your various devices and keep your focus on the more important things like work and family. Our attention is a commodity that is constantly being bought and sold by developers and advertisers, and they are experts at mining every ounce of it.
For most of us, ignoring distractions using will power alone is a losing battle; we need reinforcements. The good news is there are many good options in the form of apps, browser extensions, operating system features, and even hacks that can help you avoid time-wasting traps and keep your focus where it needs to be.
Today, we’ll look specifically at ways we can avoid time-wasting websites. In the future, we’ll home in on tips to help us overcome other productivity killers such as distracting apps or never-ending notifications.
Browser Extensions That Block Time-Wasting Websites
Browser extensions offer a user-friendly way to block distracting websites directly within your browser. These tools are ideal for those who want a fast, flexible solution without needing to tinker with system settings.
Here are some things to consider when evaluating browser extensions that block websites:
- Scheduling: Set time blocks when certain websites are inaccessible, such as during work hours.
- Time Limits: Restrict the amount of time spent on specific websites per day.
- Whitelisting: Allow access to specific sites while blocking everything else.
- Forced Lockdown Modes: Temporarily prevent access to the plugin settings to keep yourself accountable.
With that said, here are some of our favorite browsers extensions to help block distracting sites:
StayFocusd (Chrome, Edge)
StayFocusd allows you to set time limits on certain sites or block them entirely. Once your time is up, access to the site is restricted for the rest of the day. You can customize your list of blocked sites and even use a “Nuclear Option” to block everything for a set period of time.
LeechBlock (Firefox, Chrome, Edge)
LeechBlock lets you block websites based on customizable schedules. You can block certain sites during work hours or limit the total amount of time spent on them. It also allows you to group sites and apply different rules to each group for maximum flexibility.
BlockSite (Firefox, Chrome, Edge)
BlockSite works across multiple browsers and offers features like distraction-free work modes and a “Work Timer” that follows the Pomodoro technique. You can easily block both websites and apps, and it even syncs across devices.
Apps That Block Time-Wasting Websites
Unlike browser extensions, apps usually work at the system level, blocking access to specified sites across all browsers and applications. They usually offer more features but can also be more complex to install and configure.
Cold Turkey (Windows, macOS)
Cold Turkey is a highly customizable app for blocking websites and desktop apps. You can create lists of sites or apps to block and set a schedule, like blocking social media during work hours or work apps like Slack after the workday ends. You can also manually turn blocking on and off whenever you need.
One unique feature is “Frozen Turkey,” which completely locks you out of your computer, preventing access until the blocking period ends.
Since Cold Turkey Blocker works at the system level, switching browsers won’t help you bypass it. It also includes settings to prevent you from disabling it. For example, you can block access to your computer’s time settings, making it impossible to change the clock to get around a block. You can even lock the app so it can’t be uninstalled until the block is finished.
Cold Turkey Blocker is perfect for anyone who tends to break their own rules and needs a strong tool to stay focused.
Freedom (Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, iOS, Android)
Freedom is a website and app blocker that works across all your devices at once. This means you can block distractions like social media on your computer and phone simultaneously. If you start a blocking session, the sites and apps on your blocklist are blocked everywhere, so there’s no switching to another device to avoid it.
You can create multiple blocklists and start a session immediately or schedule one for later. There’s also a lockdown mode, which prevents you from editing your blocklists while a session is running—useful if you tend to bypass your own blocks. Additionally, Freedom offers optional focus sounds, such as coffee shop or nature sounds, to help you stay in the zone.
One downside is that there’s no permanent free version of the app. However, Freedom does offers some free Chrome extensions such as Pause which delays distracting sites and Limit that restricts how much time you can spend on them.
SelfControl (macOS)
SelfControl is the absolute Nuclear Option of website blockers. Unfortunately it is only available for macOS.
It is a simple app with just 3 features: a blocklist, a timer, and a start button. Set the sites you want to block, set the length of time you want to block them – up to 24 hours, and hit Start.
Once you hit start, the sites on the blocklist are blocked and there is NO WAY to undo your block! Closing the app, rebooting the computer, even uninstalling the app all do nothing.
If you are a person with zero self control, someone who always manages to get around the blocks you create for yourself, this is the app you need.
How to Block Websites Using Your Hosts File (Hardcore Mode)
This option is probably best for more technically advanced users as it requires manually editing a system file.
A hosts file is an operating system file that maps hostnames to IP addresses. We can use the file to incorrectly map a web domain to our local computer so that our computer cannot find and communicate with the site. Here’s how it works.
Pros
- Operates at the system level so all browsers and apps are affected.
- Requires no 3rd party software so it works reliably and consistently on most any computer.
Cons
- Requires a bit of technical knowledge that may make it difficult for less experienced users.
- Fairly easy to bypass as anyone with access to the hosts file can undo the changes.
- Requires manually modifying the hosts file each time you want to block and unblock a site.
Windows Instructions:
- Open Notepad as an administrator.
- Press Ctrl + O to open a file and browse to the hosts file located at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts. You will have to change the file mask from Text Documents to All Files at the bottom right.
- Add a new line to the bottom of the file that looks like this: 127.0.0.1 domaintoblock.com
- Save the changes by clicking File > Save and close Notepad.
macOS Instructions:
- Open Terminal and type the command: sudo nano /etc/hosts
- Enter your password when prompted.
- Add a new line to the bottom of the file that looks like this: 127.0.0.1 domaintoblock.com
- Save the file by pressing Ctrl + O and close with Ctrl + X.
After making the above changes, try to visit the website that you added to the hosts file. The site should fail to load. To unblock a site, you can add a # to the beginning of the line in the hosts file or remove the line completely.
Let us know in the comments if this is helpful or if you have other ways of blocking time-wasting websites.
