
Snapchat has long been a platform for getting in touch with family and friends in real-time.
But for many, the Discover feature, filled with curated media, ads, celebrity news, and sensational headlines feels intrusive, unnecessary, and often inappropriate.
If you’re among those who want to refocus your Snapchat experience purely on connecting with friends, you’re not alone.
Although Snapchat currently does not allow you to entirely disable the Discover section, this guide will show you how to minimize its presence, manage your content preferences, and reclaim control over your feed, step by step.
Also Read: How to Find Your Snapchat Username and Reset Your Password?
What is the Snapchat Discover Feature?

Snapchat's Discover section was brought in as a way to keep you engaged with content from media publishers, influencers, and brands. It displays as a scrollable grid of stories, shows, and sponsored content based on your interactions and interests.
While it offers some useful entertainment and news updates, many find it a waste of time filled with unnecessary stuff.
For privacy-focused users and parents alike, learning how to remove Discover content has become a top concern.
Can You Fully Disable Discover on Snapchat?
As of now, Snapchat does not have a built-in setting to turn off the Discover section entirely.
But there are several effective workarounds you can use to reduce its impact.
Step-by-Step Guide to Minimizing or Disabling Discover Content
Hide Unwanted Stories and Publishers
If you're tired of seeing some stories or publishers on Snapchat, there's a simple way to clean up your Discover feed.
By training the app's algorithm, you can hide unwanted content and make your browsing experience a whole lot better.
Just swipe right from the camera screen to access the Discover section, then press and hold on any story or channel you’d rather not see.
From there, tap “Hide” or “See less like this.” This tells Snapchat that you're not interested in similar content, refining its recommendations to better match your preferences over time.
Unsubscribe from Channels

Sometimes it can be as easy as just clicking the unsubscribe button. When subscribing to a channel, their content tends to appear repeatedly at the top of your Discover feed.
To fix this, simply open the story or channel you want to remove, then tap the “Subscribed” button to toggle it off.
This immediately unsubscribes you, reducing repetitive content and making room for stories that actually interest you.
Report Inappropriate or Irrelevant Content

If you come across content on Snapchat that’s offensive, misleading, or just not something you’d like to see, reporting it is a useful way to take control of your feed.
To do this, tap the three-dot icon on the story tile in question, then select “Report” and choose the reason that best fits the issue.
Reporting content doesn’t just remove it from your Discover feed, it also helps Snapchat fine-tune its recommendations, so you end up seeing more of what you like and less of what you don’t.
Adjust Content and Ad Preferences

To further refine what you see on Snapchat, adjusting your content and ad preferences is a smart move.
Since Snapchat tailors Discover content using your activity and interests, you can take control by customizing these settings.
Start by tapping your profile icon in the top-left corner, then head into Settings via the gear icon. Navigate to Privacy Controls, and choose Ad Preferences or Content Preferences.
From there, you can disable Activity-Based Ads and uncheck topics you’re not interested in.
Doing this limits the platform’s ability to push certain categories your way, helping to declutter your feed and make your Discover experience more relevant.
Stop Engaging with Discover Content
If you want to dial back the prominence of Discover content on Snapchat, reducing your engagement with it is an effective strategy.
The app monitors your interactions, so frequently tapping or swiping through Discover stories signals interest even if you're just browsing out of habit.
To shift the algorithm, stop opening Discover stories altogether and spend more time chatting with friends or viewing private stories instead.
Limiting your use of the Spotlight and Stories tabs can also help. Over time, Snapchat will learn that you’re less interested in Discover content and adjust your feed accordingly.
Use Focus Mode or Do Not Disturb

While Snapchat doesn’t offer a built-in way to hide the Discover section completely, using your phone’s Focus Mode or Do Not Disturb settings can be a helpful workaround.
These features prevent push notifications from drawing you back into the app unnecessarily, reducing the temptation to scroll through Discover content.
This encourages more intentional use of Snapchat focusing on personal messaging and snaps rather than passive content consumption.
It's especially useful for students, professionals, or anyone trying to cut back on screen time as part of a digital detox.
Why Snapchat Discover Exists (And Why It’s Hard to Remove)
Snapchat’s Discover section plays a key role in monetization and user retention. It showcases sponsored content, media partnerships, and native ads designed to engage young audiences, particularly Gen Z.
That’s why there’s no official switch to turn it off. The feature serves Snapchat’s business model, and unfortunately, user customization comes second.
Still, as we've covered, there are many ways to take control and reduce its impact.
How to Keep Discover From Coming Back?
Keeping the Discover section clean on Snapchat can be an ongoing task, especially after app updates that may reset your preferences.
If previously hidden channels or stories reappear, simply re-hide them using the same press-and-hold method. It's also a good idea to check your settings after each update to ensure your ad and content preferences remain intact.
Periodically review your subscriptions to help prevent unwanted content from creeping back in.
Importantly, steer clear of third-party apps that claim to disable Discover entirely, these often violate Snapchat’s terms of service and could put your account or data at risk.
Staying vigilant ensures a more personalized and clutter-free Snapchat experience.
Takeaway
At present, there’s no indication Snapchat will give users a full “off switch” for the Discover tab.
But by following the techniques above, you can customize your Snapchat to better fit your needs focusing more on friends and less on filler content.