In a nutshell
- YouTube Shorts videos, like TikTok and Instagram Reels, have grown in popularity, but some users prefer long-form content on their YouTube feed.
- Although there’s no official setting to completely remove Shorts, users can reduce their presence and even temporarily exclude them from their home feed.
- Selecting ‘Not interested’ for Shorts videos can help signal to YouTube that you don’t want to see this content.
YouTube Shorts have become a popular feature on the platform. YouTube Shorts have a maximum of 60 seconds — thereby offering quick, engaging videos on a platform that was already the top source for video content.
However, not everyone is a fan of these short clips cluttering their feeds. If you’re among those who prefer to keep their YouTube experience focused on longer content, this guide will walk you through the steps to reduce or hide YouTube Shorts from your feed.
Hiding YouTube Shorts on desktop
- Step 1: Navigate to youtube.com on your preferred web browser and log into your account.
- Step 2: Scroll through your home page to locate the Shorts section. This section is typically easy to spot due to its distinct layout.
- Step 3: In the top right corner of the Shorts section, there will be an “X” button labeled “Not interested” when hovering over it with a mouse cursor. Proceed by clicking on it.
The Shorts section will disappear, and in its place should say “Shelf will be hidden for 30 days.” You can tap “Undo” to reverse this if you want to turn Shorts back on. Otherwise, refresh the page and there should no longer be any recommended Shorts on your home page.
Note: This does not affect Shorts visibility when browsing the Subscriptions page or when searching for videos. Unfortunately, there is no way to disable Shorts visibility in these other areas of YouTube.
Hiding YouTube Shorts in the mobile app
- Step 1: Launch the YouTube app on your mobile device and ensure you’re signed into your account.
- Step 2: Scroll through your home feed until you come across the Shorts section.
- Step 3: Tap the three dots on the top corner of a Shorts video. In the menu that appears, select ‘Not interested.’ The Shorts section on the mobile app is made of a group of four videos, so repeat this process for all of them. This action signals to YouTube’s algorithm that you’re not interested in watching Shorts content.
More information
Be sure to understand that these are, at best, temporary solutions. Using the “not interested” button worked when we tested them, but results can vary. Users have reported following these steps, only to see Shorts on their home page again the next day. Also, there is still no setting or button to hide Shorts when searching, or when viewing your subscriptions feed. Until YouTube gives users more control over recommended content, including the disabling of YouTube Shorts, the only option is to continue clicking “Not interested.”
If you really want to get rid of Shorts for good, there are third-party extensions that use coding and other methods to tweak the YouTube website from the user’s view, hiding Shorts content. Always be wary when using third-party browser extensions, as they can potentially gain access to your personal data, such as account information and search history. Do research to make sure they’re reputable, have good reviews and don’t collect unreasonable amounts of data.
Hiding YouTube Shorts as a creator
While Shorts can be watched for entertainment, they can also be used for critical research by creators. YouTube Shorts have become an important part of many creators’ content strategies. Creators consistently monitor trending Shorts to capitalize on popular trends. If you’re a creator considering disabling Shorts, it’s important to weigh the potential impacts. If you don’t create Shorts content, hiding them might make it harder to stay updated on trends. However, trends in Shorts and long-form videos can sometimes differ. If your content primarily consists of long-form videos, the impact of hiding Shorts may be minimal. Conversely, if you actively create Shorts, hiding them could have a significant impact. By not watching popular Shorts, you may miss out on understanding what viewers are currently interested in.
Watching the way you want to watch
While YouTube Shorts can be entertaining, they’re not for everyone. By following the steps outlined above, you can significantly reduce the presence of Shorts in your YouTube feed. Remember to use the ‘Not interested’ option consistently, clear your watch history and adjust your notification and playback settings. These actions combined can help tailor your YouTube experience to better match your preferences, focusing on the content you enjoy most.
Image asset courtesy: YouTube