As a seasoned SEO expert with over two decades of experience, I’ve witnessed numerous changes in the digital landscape. One recent development that has sparked both interest and frustration among users is YouTube Shorts. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore various methods to disable or minimize YouTube Shorts, ensuring you can tailor your viewing experience to your preferences.
Understanding YouTube Shorts
YouTube Shorts are bite-sized, vertical videos lasting 60 seconds or less. Launched in 2020 as YouTube’s answer to TikTok’s growing popularity, Shorts quickly gained traction, amassing billions of views daily. While some users enjoy this quick-fire content, others find it disruptive to their traditional YouTube experience.
Why Disable YouTube Shorts?
- Preference for long-form content
- Reduced distractions
- Better focus on subscribed channels
- Lower data consumption
- Avoidance of potential inappropriate content
If you’re experiencing issues with YouTube constantly pausing, it might be related to Shorts or other factors. Learn more about why YouTube keeps pausing and how to fix it.
Temporary Methods to Disable Shorts
Desktop Method: The ‘X’ Icon
- Navigate to YouTube.com and sign in
- Scroll to the Shorts section
- Click the ‘X‘ icon in the top-right corner
- Shorts will be hidden for 30 days
This method is quick but temporary. After 30 days, you’ll need to repeat the process.
Mobile Method: ‘Not Interested’
- Open the YouTube app
- Find a Shorts video
- Tap the three-dot menu
- Select ‘Not Interested‘
Consistently marking Shorts as ‘Not Interested’ helps train the algorithm to show fewer Shorts over time. If you’re having trouble with the YouTube app on Android, check out our guide on fixing YouTube not working on Android.
Browser Extensions for Blocking Shorts
For a more permanent solution on desktop, consider using browser extensions.
Popular Extensions:
How to Install:
- Visit your browser’s extension store
- Search for the extension
- Click ‘Add to [Browser Name]‘
- Follow the installation prompts
These extensions effectively remove Shorts from your YouTube interface, providing a cleaner browsing experience.
Mobile App Workarounds
Using Desktop Mode in Mobile Browsers
- Open your mobile browser
- Go to YouTube.com
- Enable ‘Desktop Site‘ in browser settings
- Use the ‘X‘ icon method as described earlier
Downgrading the YouTube App
Warning: This method may pose security risks and is not recommended for most users.
- Uninstall the current YouTube app
- Find and download an APK of an older YouTube version (pre-Shorts)
- Install the older version
- Disable auto-updates for the YouTube app
Third-Party Apps
Apps like YouTube Vanced (for Android) and NewPipe offer YouTube experiences without Shorts. However, these are not officially supported and may violate YouTube’s terms of service.
Customizing YouTube Settings
While not directly disabling Shorts, these settings can help curate your YouTube experience:
- Go to YouTube Settings
- Navigate to ‘History & Privacy‘
- Pause watch history and search history
- Enable Restricted Mode for a more filtered experience
If you’re interested in privacy settings, you might also want to learn how to watch TikTok anonymously, as many YouTube Shorts creators also post on TikTok.
Alternatives to YouTube Shorts
If you’re looking to avoid short-form content entirely, consider platforms like:
- Vimeo: Known for high-quality, long-form videos
- Dailymotion: Offers a mix of content with a focus on longer videos
- Nebula: A creator-owned streaming platform with in-depth content
Pros and Cons of Disabling Shorts
Pros:
- Less distraction
- More focused viewing experience
- Potentially reduced screen time
Cons:
- Missing out on trending content
- Potential disconnect from certain creator communities
- Limited exposure to diverse content formats
The Future of Short-Form Content on YouTube
As YouTube continues to invest in Shorts, it’s unlikely they’ll introduce a native option to disable them entirely. However, user feedback may lead to more customization options in the future.
Additional YouTube Features and Troubleshooting
While managing your Shorts preferences, you might encounter other YouTube features or issues. For instance, if you’re having trouble with Picture-in-Picture mode, check out our guide on fixing YouTube Picture-in-Picture not working.
Additionally, if you’re curious about other YouTube video settings, you might want to learn what “unlisted” means on YouTube and how it differs from public and private videos.
Conclusion
While YouTube doesn’t offer a one-click solution to disable Shorts permanently, the methods outlined in this guide provide various ways to minimize or remove Shorts from your viewing experience. Remember, the key is to create a YouTube environment that aligns with your preferences and viewing habits.
FAQs
- Can I permanently disable YouTube Shorts? Currently, there’s no built-in option to permanently disable Shorts. However, browser extensions and consistent use of the ‘Not Interested’ feature can significantly reduce their presence.
- Will disabling Shorts affect my YouTube recommendations? Possibly. By interacting less with Shorts, your recommendations may shift towards longer-form content over time.
- Is it safe to use third-party apps to block Shorts? While apps like YouTube Vanced can block Shorts, they’re not officially supported and may pose security risks. Use them at your own discretion.
- Do these methods work for YouTube Premium users? Yes, these methods are applicable for both free and Premium YouTube users.
- Will YouTube introduce an official way to disable Shorts in the future? While it’s possible, there’s no official announcement from YouTube regarding this feature. The platform seems committed to promoting Shorts as part of its core experience.
By implementing these strategies, you can create a more tailored YouTube experience that aligns with your content preferences. Remember, as the digital landscape evolves, so too will the methods for customizing your online experiences. Stay informed and don’t hesitate to adapt your approach as new options become available.
