I find YouTube Shorts distracting and would prefer not to see them in my feed. Does anyone know how to either disable or hide YouTube Shorts? I’ve tried looking in the settings, but I couldn’t find the option. Help would be much appreciated.
YouTube Shorts are like that bowl of chips at a party—you didn’t ask for them, but they’re just there, staring at you, impossible to ignore. Unfortunately, there’s no magical ‘off’ switch in settings to get rid of them entirely. Classic, right? But, there are a few workarounds that might help you wrestle back control of your attention span.
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Not interested: When a Shorts video pops up, click the three dots (…) and select ‘Not Interested.’ Do this over and over. YouTube might eventually get the hint, though let’s face it, the algorithm is as stubborn as that one friend who must play DJ at every gathering.
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Use keywords: Short videos often come from channels leaning into the Shorts format. You can tweak your feed by searching or watching longer content related to your interests. Basically, swamp the algorithm with “real” videos, and it should push Shorts down the priority list.
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Browser Extension: On desktop? Extensions like “Unhook” (Chrome, Firefox, etc.) let you customize what you see, including removing Shorts from your YouTube homepage. God bless them.
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Back to the OG app: YouTube Vanced or NewPipe—third-party apps—let you bypass new features like Shorts, if you’re okay sideloading apps. (Downside: it’s unofficial and can be sketchy, so proceed with caution!)
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Desktop > mobile: Shorts are more in-your-face on mobile. Switching to YouTube on desktop reduces their visibility since they aren’t given priority in that layout.
That’s about all you can do now unless you want to email Susan Wojcicki and beg them for a “Turn off Shorts forever” setting… oh wait, she’s gone. Never mind.
Honestly, YouTube Shorts are like that persistent fly at your picnic—you swat it away, and it just keeps coming back. While @sterrenkijker offered some good tips, I think there’s room to dive deeper. For one thing, if you’re toggling between devices, your approach might need some tweaking.
First off, let me address the “Not Interested” option—yeah, it works to some extent, but you really have to hammer the algorithm with it. And even then, Shorts sometimes creep back like that ex you blocked but who won’t quit making new accounts. One extra layer of effort here is clearing your watch history frequently, which might help reset your recommendations a bit. It’s annoying but potentially effective.
Another angle: If you watch YouTube on your smart TV, YouTube Shorts are less prominent there. You don’t get the same vertical format shoved in your face as much compared to mobile. Just a thought if you want to curb those distractions during downtime.
Now, regarding browser extensions like “Unhook” (as mentioned earlier), they get the job done, but they come with a caveat: they only apply to desktop. So if the bulk of your YouTube time is on your phone, they won’t save you there. Besides, anyone else think relying on third-party tools just to stop seeing something is next-level exhausting? It’s like YouTube wants to force-feed us Shorts whether we like it or not.
Here’s one rogue idea—this worked for me: unsubscribe from channels that heavily feature Shorts. I know, sounds extreme, but if a channel’s primary content is the vertical video stuff, following them only feeds YouTube’s obsession with them. Focus on subscribing to creators who stick with long-form content, and it does make some difference.
Lastly, I’m skeptical about third-party apps like YouTube Vanced that attempt to “restore” the old YouTube experience. While they sound promising, keeping them updated (or worrying if they’re entirely safe) is too much hassle IMO.
Bottom line? You basically have to fight the algorithm tooth and nail at every step. It’s frustrating, but until YouTube gives us a proper option to disable Shorts, we’ve got a guerilla war on our hands.
Alright, here’s another perspective to tackle the Shorts invasion:
First off, while I appreciate the suggestions by others to spam “Not Interested” or dive into third-party apps like YouTube Vanced, these solutions come with their own baggage. For example, hammering ‘Not Interested’ takes forever, and honestly, YouTube’s algorithm feels like it has selective hearing – some Shorts just keep coming back no matter what. That’s like playing whack-a-mole without an endgame.
Instead, try focusing on refining your subscription list. Unfollow those channels that dip heavily into Shorts, no matter how much you like their content. Sticking to long-form creators not only declutters your feed but signals to YouTube that you mean business. Think of it as cleaning up your garden to stop attracting pests.
Another alternative? Focus on Playlists. Create and lean on playlists filled with videos from topics you enjoy—it gives YouTube a narrower path to recommend similar long-form content. Use this to steer clear of random and vertical distractions.
Now for the unconventional route: Switch apps completely. I know, some might call it extreme, but platforms like Nebula or CuriosityStream focus more on long-form, educational content. Yes, they’re not free (and not exactly YouTube competitors either), but they work if you’re tired of YouTube pandering to short attention spans.
For mobile, Shorts clogging up your homepage? Skip it entirely and head to your ‘Subscriptions’ tab directly. It filters most of that noise and keeps the focus on channels you care about.
However, I’m going to go against the grain here—@cacadordeestrelas mentioned watching YouTube on Smart TVs could lessen Shorts clutter. Sure, they don’t dominate the interface there, but it doesn’t remove the root problem; they still linger. Plus, it’s annoying when algorithms prioritize Shorts even when you didn’t ask.
Bottom line: You’re not going to fully erase Shorts (short of quitting YouTube). But being intentional with your subscriptions, leaning on playlists, and moving to alternative platforms for downtime can reclaim a bit of sanity. Everything else? Temporary duct tape fixes.