YouTube has revolutionized the way we consume content, offering a diverse range of videos, from full-length movies to short-form videos. With the introduction of YouTube Shorts, a feature designed to allow users to create and consume short-form videos (similar to platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels), YouTube aimed to cater to users who prefer quick, snackable content. However, not everyone appreciates this new format, and for some users, YouTube Shorts have become an unwelcome presence in their feed. If you’re one of those users who find YouTube Shorts distracting or unnecessary, you’re not alone.
In this detailed guide, we will explore effective ways to disable YouTube Shorts, whether you’re browsing on a mobile device or a desktop. While there isn’t an official method for permanently turning off YouTube Shorts, there are various strategies you can implement to minimize or completely remove their presence. Read on to discover the best approaches for customizing your YouTube experience.
YouTube Shorts is a feature introduced by YouTube that allows users to create videos lasting up to 60 seconds. These videos are designed to be easily created on mobile devices, with tools that enable the integration of music, effects, and a variety of filters. Shorts are displayed in a dedicated section of the YouTube app and can also be discovered through recommendations.
The popularity of YouTube Shorts is evident, as it provides users with a more casual and fast-paced way to interact with content. Much like TikTok, Shorts encourages the creation and sharing of viral, spontaneous content, promoting a sense of community engagement. However, not all users are fond of this format, and for some, Shorts disrupt the flow of traditional, long-form videos that YouTube is known for.
While YouTube is clearly pushing Shorts to compete with other short-video platforms, many users have expressed their dissatisfaction with the feature, particularly when it becomes a dominant element in their feeds. If you’re among those who prefer a cleaner and more tailored YouTube experience, read on to discover how to disable or limit YouTube Shorts on your account.
There are several reasons why you might want to disable YouTube Shorts or at least reduce their visibility. Some of the most common reasons include:
While YouTube currently doesn’t offer a built-in setting to completely remove Shorts, there are several ways to customize your viewing experience and limit their presence in your feed.
Below, we’ve outlined six effective methods that can help you get rid of or reduce the prominence of YouTube Shorts. Whether you’re using YouTube on your desktop or mobile device, there’s a method for everyone.
One of the simplest ways to reduce the visibility of YouTube Shorts is by using the “Not Interested” feature. YouTube’s recommendation algorithm adapts to your preferences over time, and by marking Shorts as “Not Interested,” you signal to the platform that you don’t want to see this type of content.
Steps for Mobile and Desktop:
By consistently marking Shorts as “Not Interested,” YouTube’s algorithm will gradually stop recommending them to you, resulting in a more relevant content feed.
If you’re watching YouTube on a desktop browser, you can install browser extensions that specifically block or hide YouTube Shorts. These extensions are designed to remove the Shorts section from your feed entirely, making it easy to enjoy a distraction-free YouTube experience.
For Chrome or Edge:
These extensions can be a highly effective way to remove Shorts from your feed, and they provide a more streamlined viewing experience on desktop.
If you’re looking for a way to avoid Shorts on your mobile device, consider accessing YouTube through a mobile browser and switching to desktop mode. By doing so, you’ll bypass the Shorts section and enjoy YouTube in its traditional format.
Steps:
This method works especially well if you want to avoid Shorts without making permanent changes to your YouTube app settings.
For Android users, downgrading the YouTube app to an older version can effectively remove Shorts, as this feature is a relatively recent addition. By installing an earlier version of the app that doesn’t support Shorts, you can avoid the feature entirely.
Steps:
Note: Downgrading apps carries some security risks, as older versions may lack critical updates. If you choose this method, always download the APK from reputable sources to minimize risks.
YouTube Vanced and its successor ReVanced are third-party apps that offer advanced customization options for YouTube. These apps allow you to completely remove Shorts and enjoy a more tailored experience, free from ads and other unwanted features. YouTube Vanced has been discontinued, but ReVanced continues to provide similar features.
Steps:
By using these apps, you can customize your YouTube experience further, removing features like Shorts and enabling background playback for a more seamless experience.
For those who want to bypass the Shorts section on their desktop without using extensions, you can modify the YouTube URL to load an older version of the site or to avoid Shorts altogether.
Modify the Video URL:
Instead of clicking on a Shorts video directly, modify the URL from https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VIDEO_ID to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID. This forces YouTube to load the video in the standard player format instead of the Shorts player.
Modify the Homepage URL:
To avoid Shorts on the homepage, go to https://www.youtube.com/feed/subscriptions. This URL takes you directly to your subscription feed, bypassing Shorts recommendations.
Bookmark the Modified URL:
By making these small URL adjustments, you can keep Shorts out of your feed while enjoying the traditional YouTube layout.
Unfortunately, there is no official way to permanently disable YouTube Shorts within the app or on the platform. However, the methods described above provide effective workarounds that allow you to limit or remove Shorts from your feed, offering a more personalized and distraction-free YouTube experience. Whether you’re using a mobile device or desktop browser, these techniques give you the flexibility to customize your YouTube account to better suit your preferences.
If you’re not interested in watching Shorts, another strategy is to subscribe to long-form content creators who don’t post Shorts. By focusing on content creators who specialize in longer videos, you can help curate your feed to better align with your interests. Subscribing to these creators will also minimize the organic appearance of Shorts in your feed, ensuring that you mostly see the content you enjoy.
While YouTube doesn’t offer an official option to disable Shorts altogether, there are several methods to reduce or eliminate their presence. From using browser extensions to switching to third-party apps like ReVanced, you can tailor your YouTube feed to showcase only the content you want to see. If you want a truly distraction-free experience, implementing these strategies can help you get rid of YouTube Shorts.
Additionally, if you find yourself needing to buy YouTube comments or enhance your engagement with videos, there are various services available to help with that. Whether you’re a content creator looking to boost interaction or a user wanting to fine-tune your experience, customizing your YouTube journey has never been easier. Share these tips with friends who are looking to enjoy a more focused, Shorts-free YouTube experience!
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