CleanBrowsing offers over 23 predefined content filters that let you control exactly what content is allowed on your network. From free community filters to advanced paid categories, this guide explains what each filter blocks and how to choose the right combination for your needs.
CleanBrowsing provides three free DNS filters that anyone can use immediately -- no account, no signup, no credit card required. Simply point your DNS to the appropriate resolver IPs and your network is protected.
| Filter | DNS IP | What It Blocks |
|---|---|---|
| Security Filter | 185.228.168.9 / 185.228.169.9 | Malware, phishing, cryptomining domains |
| Adult Filter | 185.228.168.10 / 185.228.169.10 | Adult content + all security threats |
| Family Filter | 185.228.168.168 / 185.228.169.168 | Adult content, enforces SafeSearch, blocks mixed content + all security threats |
These filters are powered by the same global Anycast network and Categorify engine that powers paid plans. They support encrypted DNS via DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) and DNS-over-TLS (DoT). No account is needed, and there are no query limits.
Paid plans unlock 23+ additional content category filters, each of which can be toggled on or off independently through the CleanBrowsing dashboard. This gives you granular control over exactly what is allowed on your network.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Adult & Pornography | Blocks adult and pornographic content, including escort and CSAM sites. Enforces SafeSearch on Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo and other search engines. |
| Adult Mixed Content | Blocks sites that allow pornographic content alongside non-adult activities (e.g., Reddit, some image sharing domains). |
| Malicious | Blocks malicious and blacklisted domains. Helps prevent attacks against your computer and network. |
| Torrents | Blocks torrent sites including The Pirate Bay. |
| P2P & File Sharing | Blocks peer-to-peer and file sharing domains often misused for illegal and pirated content. |
| Proxy & VPNs | Blocks proxies and VPN products often used to bypass filters. |
| Search Engine | Blocks search engines where SafeSearch cannot be enforced. Allows only Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo and Yandex. |
| Ads & Tracking | Blocks ads and tracking products including Google Ads, Mixpanel and other ad-based services. |
| Gaming | Blocks online gaming sites. |
| Gambling | Blocks online gambling sites. |
| Dating | Blocks dating sites. |
| Social Network | Blocks social networks including Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus. |
| Online Radio | Blocks online radio and music streaming sites including Spotify and Pandora. |
| Weapons | Blocks websites that sell or promote weapons such as guns, knives, etc. |
| Video Streaming BETA | Blocks video streaming sites (Netflix, Hulu, etc.). |
| Instant Messaging BETA | Blocks chats and instant messaging applications including WhatsApp, Slack, ICQ, etc. |
| Drugs BETA | Blocks smoking, CBD, cannabis and other drug-related websites. |
| Alcohol BETA | Blocks beer, wine and other alcohol-related websites. |
| Self Harm BETA | Blocks self-harm and suicide-related websites. |
| Partial Nudity BETA | Blocks sites with partial nudity including lingerie, swimsuits and photo stock sites (e.g., Victoria Secret, Pinterest). |
| Extremism & Hate BETA | Blocks extremist and hate speech sites using the UK CTIRU database and other sources. Covers racism, anti-semitism, radicalisation and terror incitement. |
| Academic Fraud BETA | Blocks sites selling academic fraud services ("do my essay" or "do my homework"). |
| Artificial Intelligence BETA | Blocks AI image and content generator sites (ChatGPT, etc.). |
| Remote Access BETA | Blocks remote access and desktop tools. |
| Manga BETA | Blocks manga websites. |
| Hacking BETA | Blocks hacking websites. |
Additional categories are available, and new ones are added regularly. Some categories may be labeled as BETA while being refined. Each category is managed independently, so you can block gaming without blocking social media, or vice versa.
Beyond predefined category filters, paid plans allow fine-grained control over individual domains. This is where you can override categorization decisions and tailor filtering to your specific needs.
Changes to category filters or custom domain lists take 30 to 45 minutes to propagate across CleanBrowsing's resolver network. After making changes, wait at least 30 minutes, then flush your DNS cache before testing.
The right filter combination depends on your environment and goals. Here are recommended starting configurations for common use cases:
| Environment | Recommended Filters | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Schools | Adult + VPN + Gaming + Social Media + Essay Mills | Meets CIPA requirements; add AI Chatbots if needed |
| Business | Adult + Malware + Social Media + Streaming | Balance security with productivity; adjust per department |
| Parents (Free) | Family Filter (185.228.168.168) | No account needed; good baseline protection |
| Parents (Paid) | Adult + Gaming + Social Media | More control over what specific categories to block |
Note that some filters may be in BETA as CleanBrowsing continuously refines categorization. Visit the paid filters documentation for the most current list of available categories and their status.
Choose from a wide range of filters and tailor protection to your exact needs.
View Pricing
