YouTube Shorts have become a big part of the platform, offering quick, bite-sized videos under 60 seconds.
While some enjoy the fast-paced content, others find it distracting or overwhelming, especially if they prefer traditional, long-form videos.
Unfortunately, YouTube doesn’t offer a direct way to disable Shorts entirely.
But there are several methods you can use to minimize their presence or temporarily hide them from your feed.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through these techniques, step by step, so you can customize your YouTube experience to suit your preferences.
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What Are YouTube Shorts?
Before diving into how to disable or hide YouTube Shorts, it’s helpful to understand what they are. YouTube Shorts are short video clips that are less than 60 seconds long.
They are designed to offer quick, snackable content that can be easily consumed while scrolling through the platform.
These videos are often vertical and can range from funny moments to viral challenges, providing a quick entertainment fix for users.
While some people enjoy these bite-sized videos, others may prefer longer, more detailed content. If you fall into the latter category, you’ll be happy to know that there are ways to reduce or even hide shorts from your feed.
Why Would You Want to Disable YouTube Shorts?
There are a variety of reasons why you might want to hide or minimize Shorts on your YouTube feed:
- Distraction: Shorts can be a major distraction, especially when you're trying to watch longer videos or focus on more in-depth content.
- Personal Preference: You may simply not enjoy short-form content and prefer to watch longer videos.
- Cluttered Feed: With the Shorts section occupying a significant part of your YouTube homepage, it might be too overwhelming or disruptive to your viewing experience.
Luckily, YouTube gives you several ways to customize your feed and minimize the impact of Shorts.
Methods to Minimize or Hide YouTube Shorts
Although there is no way to permanently disable Shorts on YouTube, you can apply some effective techniques to either hide them temporarily or reduce their presence on your feed.
Here’s a look at your options.
Temporarily Disable Shorts on Your Mobile
Disable Shorts on the Desktop
To hide YouTube Shorts on a desktop or laptop, visit the YouTube homepage and locate the Shorts section on your feed. Click the X in the top-right corner of the Shorts shelf, and confirm the action when prompted. This will disable Shorts for 30 days. You can also use this method on a mobile browser by switching to the desktop site view.
Use Browser Extensions to Block Shorts
If you're browsing YouTube on a desktop and want to eliminate Shorts entirely, browser extensions can be a great solution.
There are several free extensions available that will allow you to block Shorts across YouTube.
Some popular options include:
- Disable YouTube Shorts: This extension hides Shorts across the platform and helps you focus on regular videos.
- No YouTube Shorts: Another simple extension that lets you toggle Shorts on or off, giving you more control over your YouTube experience.
- Hide YouTube Shorts: A Chrome extension that makes Shorts disappear entirely when browsing YouTube.
Dislike and Mark Shorts as “Not Interested”
YouTube’s algorithm is designed to learn from your behavior, so consistently providing feedback on content can help shape your feed.
One way to reduce Shorts is by marking them as “Not Interested” or disliking them when they appear. Here's how you can do it:
- When a Shorts video appears on your feed, tap the three-dot menu in the corner of the video.
- Select “Not Interested” or “Dislike” to signal that you don’t want to see similar content in the future.
- Over time, YouTube will begin showing you fewer Shorts based on your feedback.
Avoid Subscribing to Channels That Post Shorts
If you want to see less Shorts, avoid subscribing to channels that predominantly upload short-form content.
YouTube recommends channels based on your subscriptions, so by steering clear of Shorts-heavy creators, you can ensure that fewer Shorts show up in your feed.
Use Third-Party Apps
Some third-party apps provide advanced customization features for YouTube. These apps allow you to filter out Shorts and customize your viewing preferences more effectively.
Keep in mind that using third-party apps may require more technical know-how, and not all apps are officially supported by YouTube.
What About Disabling Shorts on Other Devices?
You might be wondering if it’s possible to disable Shorts on devices like smart TVs, tablets, or gaming consoles.
Unfortunately, YouTube’s mobile and desktop settings are the only ones that allow you to hide Shorts effectively.
However, you can still try the following methods to reduce their appearance on some devices:
- Smart TVs: Access YouTube through a browser on your phone or computer, and hide the Shorts section as you would on the desktop.
- Tablets & Gaming Consoles: The same steps that work on mobile apps can be applied, but the results may vary depending on your device.
Final Thoughts
While YouTube Shorts are here to stay, you don't have to be overwhelmed by them. By using the methods above, you can effectively reduce or temporarily remove Shorts from your feed.
Whether you prefer a distraction-free viewing experience or simply want to avoid short-form content, YouTube gives you the tools to take control of your feed.
While there’s no permanent solution for disabling Shorts, adjusting your settings and using browser extensions can significantly improve your YouTube experience.
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