> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.focusme.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Blocking Websites

> How to block distracting websites — individual sites, entire categories, or the whole internet.

FocusMe can block websites in two ways: **blacklist** specific sites or **block all websites** and whitelist exceptions.

## Block Some Websites (Blacklist)

The most common approach. You specify exactly which sites to block.

### Adding a Website

In Step 2 (Websites) of the Plan Wizard:

1. Click **Add Site**
2. Enter the domain — e.g., `reddit.com`, `tiktok.com`, `instagram.com`
3. The site is added to your blacklist

<Frame caption="Adding websites to the blacklist">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/focusme/kqFuIj07FjPQtkTn/images/wizard-step2-websites.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=kqFuIj07FjPQtkTn&q=85&s=916de8bc6c6130c312d83c9775653499" width="1032" height="776" data-path="images/wizard-step2-websites.png" />
</Frame>

<Frame caption="The Add Site dialog">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/focusme/XVlcBu2QIUKKK7Qs/images/add-website-dialog.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=XVlcBu2QIUKKK7Qs&q=85&s=19e1dbdcf54c3c43409841ea1504e5f2" width="1002" height="759" data-path="images/add-website-dialog.png" />
</Frame>

<Tip>You don't need `https://` or `www.` — just the domain name. FocusMe automatically matches all variations including subdomains.</Tip>

### Matching by URL vs Title

FocusMe can match websites two ways:

| Method    | How It Works                                 | Use When                                                         |
| --------- | -------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **URL**   | Matches the web address in the browser       | You know the exact domain to block                               |
| **Title** | Matches text in the browser tab/window title | The site uses unpredictable URLs or you want to catch it by name |

**Example:** Blocking `youtube.com` by URL blocks the entire site. Blocking `YouTube` by title catches it even if accessed through an embedded player or redirect.

### Common Sites to Block

| Category     | Sites                                                                               |
| ------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Social Media | `facebook.com`, `instagram.com`, `tiktok.com`, `x.com`, `reddit.com`, `threads.net` |
| Video        | `youtube.com`, `netflix.com`, `twitch.tv`, `disneyplus.com`                         |
| News         | `bbc.co.uk/news`, `cnn.com`, `dailymail.co.uk`                                      |
| Shopping     | `amazon.com`, `ebay.com`, `etsy.com`                                                |
| Messaging    | `web.whatsapp.com`, `discord.com`, `telegram.org`                                   |

## Block All Websites (Whitelist Only)

For maximum focus, block the entire internet and only allow the sites you need for work.

1. In Step 2 of the Plan Wizard, choose **Block All Websites**
2. Add exceptions — sites that should remain accessible
3. Everything else is blocked

**Example:** Block all websites but allow `docs.google.com`, `github.com`, and `stackoverflow.com` for a coding session.

<Info>When blocking all websites, be sure to whitelist any sites you need for authentication (SSO providers, OAuth redirects) or your blocking plan could lock you out of work tools.</Info>

## Block Method

The **Block method** dropdown at the bottom of the Websites step controls what happens when you visit a blocked site:

<Frame caption="The block method dropdown — choose how blocked sites are handled">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/focusme/VUw-YdifdUr1rlem/images/block-methods-websites.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=VUw-YdifdUr1rlem&q=85&s=e54c35989746bc1f68d8e2861b57abe3" width="1002" height="800" data-path="images/block-methods-websites.png" />
</Frame>

| Method              | What Happens                                                                                          |
| ------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Show block page** | Replaces the page with a FocusMe blocked notification. The default and most visible option.           |
| **Close the tab**   | Silently closes the browser tab when a blocked site is detected.                                      |
| **Open new tab**    | Redirects to a new blank tab instead of showing the blocked site.                                     |
| **Go to home**      | Redirects to your browser's homepage.                                                                 |
| **Network block**   | A stronger blocking method — the page simply fails to load. Works even without the browser extension. |

<Frame caption="The block page shown when you visit a blocked website (Show block page method)">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/focusme/XVlcBu2QIUKKK7Qs/images/blocked-page.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=XVlcBu2QIUKKK7Qs&q=85&s=31e79bd7967ce45132ca622c9d175a90" width="854" height="964" data-path="images/blocked-page.png" />
</Frame>

Regardless of the method chosen, the site remains inaccessible — you cannot bypass it by:

* Opening an incognito/private window
* Using a different browser
* Accessing a cached version
* Using a URL shortener or redirect

## Browser Extension

The FocusMe browser extension provides the most reliable website blocking. It communicates directly with the desktop app and can:

* Detect URLs in real time
* Block pages before they load
* Work across all tabs and windows

Install it from [focusme.com/download/addon](https://focusme.com/download/addon/) — the link automatically detects your browser. Works with Chrome, Edge, Brave, Opera, Vivaldi, and Firefox.

## Partial Blocking

You can block specific parts of a website while allowing the rest. For example:

* Block `youtube.com/shorts` but allow regular YouTube videos
* Block `reddit.com/r/gaming` but allow other subreddits
* Block `facebook.com` but allow `facebook.com/messages`

To do this, add the specific URL path rather than just the domain.

[See the Partial Blocking guide →](/guides/partially-block-websites)

## Punisher

For Block plans, you can enable the **Punisher** to add escalating consequences when you repeatedly try to visit blocked sites. Instead of just blocking, the Punisher extends blocking time with each reoffence.

[Learn more about the Punisher →](/concepts/plans-overview#punisher)

## Tips

* **Start broad, add exceptions.** It's easier to block everything and whitelist what you need than to chase every distracting site individually.
* **Use title matching for stubborn sites.** Some sites use subdomains or redirects that can slip past URL matching. Title matching catches them regardless.
* **Combine with app blocking.** If you block `youtube.com` but the YouTube desktop app is installed, block that too.
* **Use RegEx for patterns.** If you need to block sites matching a pattern (e.g., all gaming sites), [Regular Expressions](/advanced/regex) give you powerful matching.