Review Filtering Methods
Policy-Based Filtering
Policy-based filtering applies through the GoGuardian app or extension installed on a managed device. It follows the student regardless of location — on campus, off campus, or at home — based on the active filtering context for their session. Use policy-based filtering when:- Your district manages student devices with GoGuardian installed
- You need YouTube-level controls: channels, videos, keywords, categories, and playback settings
- Filtering should follow the student off campus or at home
- Different students need different filtering rules at the same time
DNS Filtering
DNS filtering applies at the network level. It covers any device that connects through a filtered network — including BYOD, guest, and unmanaged devices — without requiring the GoGuardian app or extension to be installed. Use DNS filtering when:- Your district hosts guest or BYOD networks that need filtered access
- You need a network-level baseline for unmanaged or personal devices on campus
- You want to supplement managed-device filtering with coverage that applies regardless of device type
DNS filtering does not support YouTube-level filtering rules such as channel, video, keyword, or playback settings. Use policy-based filtering for those controls.
Districts that deploy DNS Precision Filtering get subnet-based rules, per-student reporting, and Agent Awareness with DNS filtering, instead of the network-level-only behavior described above.
Understand Custom Groups
Custom Groups are a targeting mechanism, not a separate filtering method. They let you apply a specific filtering policy to a set of students regardless of their assigned organizational unit. Use them when directory-based policy assignment does not match your filtering intent. Common use cases:- Students who need focused browsing conditions during testing or a specific event
- Temporary restrictions that should expire automatically on a set date
- A blanket behavior change for a cohort that does not map to an existing OU
Resources
Understand Filtering Policies
Review the policy model for managed-device filtering.
Review DNS Filtering
Configure network-level filtering for BYOD, guest, and unmanaged devices.
DNS Precision Filtering
Add subnet-based rules and Agent Awareness to DNS filtering for an on-premise Windows Server network.
Manage Custom Groups
Apply filtering exceptions outside your directory structure.
Understand Filtering Contexts
Review how GoGuardian Admin determines which filtering behavior applies in a given session.