How to Block Shorts on YouTube in 2025: A Complete Guide

YouTube Shorts, the platform’s short-form video feature, has taken centre stage in recent years. But not everyone enjoys this TikTok-style content. If you’re one of the many users wondering how to block Shorts on YouTube, you’re not alone. Whether it’s to stay focused, avoid distractions, or just personalise your YouTube experience, this complete 2025 guide will walk you through various ways to block, disable, or hide YouTube Shorts on different devices—step by step.

Why Do People Want to Block Shorts on YouTube?

According to a 2024 survey by DataReportal:

• 38% of YouTube users find Shorts too distracting.
• 1 in 4 parents prefer to block Shorts for their children.
• Over 60% of users over the age of 35 prefer long-form content.

Key Reasons:

• Too addictive and time-consuming
• Not aligned with professional or educational goals
• Unwanted autoplay
• Lack of interest in short videos
• Poor content quality in some Shorts

1. How to Block Shorts on YouTube Mobile App (Android & iOS)

Unfortunately, YouTube does not officially offer a “Turn Off Shorts” feature in the mobile app. But there are workarounds:

Method 1: Mark “Not Interested” on All Shorts

Step-by-step:

1. Open the YouTube app.
2. Navigate to the Shorts section.
3. Tap the three dots (…) on a Short video.
4. Tap “Not Interested”.
5. Repeat this for multiple Shorts. YouTube will reduce the frequency.

💡 Tip: Do this consistently to help the algorithm understand your preferences.

Method 2: Use YouTube in Browser Mode

1. Open youtube.com in desktop mode on your mobile browser.
2. Log in to your account.
3. Use browser extensions or settings (covered below) to block Shorts from there.

2. How to Block Shorts on YouTube Desktop (Windows/Mac)

Blocking Shorts is easier on a desktop with extensions and browser tricks.

Method 1: Use YouTube Shorts Block Extensions (Chrome/Firefox)

Steps to install “Remove YouTube Shorts”:

1. Go to Chrome Web Store.
2. Search for “Remove YouTube Shorts”.
3. Click Add to Chrome.
4. Refresh YouTube. Shorts will be hidden.

Method 2: Use Custom Filter in uBlock Origin

If you’re tech-savvy:

• Install uBlock Origin.
• Go to Dashboard > My Filters.
• Paste: arduinoCopyEdityoutube.com##ytd-reel-shelf-renderer youtube.com##ytd-rich-section-renderer

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3. How to Remove Shorts from YouTube Home Feed

You can tweak your home feed algorithm:

• Mark all Shorts as Not Interested.
• Clear watch history: Go to Settings > History > Clear All Watch History.
• Pause watch history: YouTube won’t learn from your behaviour.
• Don’t interact with any Shorts (don’t watch, like, or comment).

4. How to Disable Shorts Notifications

Tired of notifications from Shorts?

Steps:

1. Open the YouTube app.
2. Go to Settings > Notifications.
3. Turn off “Shorts Recommendations”.

🎯 Did you know? Disabling Shorts notifications can reduce your screen time by up to 22%, as per a 2023 Statista report.

ALSO READ | How to Disable YouTube Shorts: Step-by-Step Guide

5. YouTube Premium: Is It the Solution?

No. YouTube Premium does not offer a native way to block Shorts. However, it gives you an ad-free experience and offline downloads, but Shorts remain.

6. Advanced Option: YouTube Vanced (For Android Users Only)

⚠️ Note: YouTube Vanced is not officially supported by Google and may pose security risks.

If you’re an advanced Android user, you can try YouTube Vanced or Revanced to customise your experience, including hiding Shorts. These apps offer:

• Background play
• Ad-blocking
• Option to remove Shorts

7. For Parents: Blocking Shorts for Kids (YouTube Kids)

YouTube Kids does not feature Shorts. But if you’re using the main YouTube app:

• Use Restricted Mode.
• Turn on Parental Controls via Google Family Link.
• Regularly check content preferences and watch history.

8. Alternatives to YouTube Shorts

If you want more control over content, consider:

ALSO READ | How to Remove Shorts from YouTube: A Step-by-Step Guide (2025)

Summary Table: How to Block Shorts on Different Platforms

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Conclusion

Blocking Shorts on YouTube may not be a built-in feature, but with the right tools and tricks, you can significantly reduce or completely remove them from your viewing experience. Whether you’re trying to be more productive or just want a clutter-free feed, this guide empowers you to take back control of your YouTube experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)