YouTube's algorithm is designed to keep you watching. Take back control during work and study sessions with timer-based blocking — no permanent changes to your browser.
🛡️ Add to Chrome — FreeThe average person spends 40+ minutes per YouTube session. When you open YouTube "just to check one thing," the algorithm serves recommendations designed to keep you watching. For remote workers and students, this is a productivity killer.
FocusGuard solves this with timer-based blocking. Block YouTube only during your focus sessions — it's automatically unblocked when your session ends. No willpower required.
Visit the Chrome Web Store and click "Add to Chrome." Installation takes 5 seconds. Free plan includes full website blocking — no credit card required.
Click the FocusGuard icon in your toolbar, then "Add Site." Type
youtube.com and confirm. FocusGuard will block all
YouTube URLs including Shorts, subscriptions, and trending pages.
Set your timer anywhere from 5 minutes to 8 hours. Click "Start Session." YouTube is now completely inaccessible until your session ends. No workarounds, no exceptions.
If you try to visit YouTube during a session, you'll see a motivational blocked page with your puppy rescue progress. When your session ends, YouTube unblocks automatically.
| Feature | FocusGuard | Hosts File Edit | Parental Controls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timer-based (temporary) | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| No technical setup | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Auto-unblock after session | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Focus analytics | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Motivational elements | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Free plan available | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
Yes. FocusGuard is a free Chrome extension that blocks YouTube during focus sessions. No credit card required for the free plan. Pro features (advanced analytics, longer sessions) start at $5.99/month.
No. FocusGuard only blocks sites you specifically add to your block list. All other websites work normally unless you choose to block them.
Yes. FocusGuard uses timer-based blocking — when your focus session ends, YouTube automatically becomes accessible again. No permanent changes to your browser settings.
Yes. When you block youtube.com, FocusGuard blocks all YouTube pages including Shorts, subscriptions, trending, and the homepage. The entire domain becomes inaccessible during focus sessions.
Join 500+ users who've reclaimed their productivity. Free to start, takes 10 seconds to install.
🛡️ Install FocusGuard Free