Key Takeaway:
To switch off Shorts on YouTube’s mobile or desktop platform, seek out the “Shorts” category and select or press the “X” symbol. For users on the iPhone or Android app, you can either revert to a previous version of the YouTube app or, for each Short in the “Shorts” division, tap the three-dot menu and opt for “Not Interested“.
Have you ever wondered what YouTube shorts are and why they seem to be dominating your YouTube homepage?
YouTube Shorts are short, bite-sized videos, usually less than a minute long, which appear on the YouTube homepage and in the app. They’re YouTube’s answer to the rise of short-form content popularized by platforms like TikTok.
But why would you want to disable YouTube Shorts? Maybe you prefer traditional long-form content or simply want to avoid getting caught in the endless cycle of scrolling through short, addictive videos.
Whatever your reason, this guide will help you navigate the process of disabling YouTube Shorts.
The Popularity of YouTube Shorts
The Rise of Short Video Content
In recent years, the popularity of short-form video content has soared. This shift in content preference can be attributed to the bite-sized nature of such videos, which allows viewers to consume content quickly and easily.
Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and now YouTube Shorts have capitalized on this trend, providing viewers with a steady stream of easily digestible content.
The Influence of Other Platforms
YouTube’s move to introduce Shorts was largely influenced by the success of other platforms. TikTok, in particular, has seen significant success with its short-form video content, inspiring other platforms, including YouTube, to implement similar features.
Besides, let’s learn how to watch TikTok anonymously and keep your viewing habits private. Follow these tips to watch TikTok videos without an account or an app.
How to Disable YouTube Shorts
Not particularly fond of YouTube Shorts and seeking ways to remove them from your view? Although there isn’t an official method to switch off YouTube Shorts, you do have a few alternatives to suppress them from your feed on your iPhone, Android device, and desktop computer.
Remove YouTube Shorts via YouTube’s Mobile Website
A handy way to eliminate Shorts from your feed is by employing YouTube’s mobile site on your phone. On the site, you can opt to conceal the “Shorts” section for a duration of 30 days – an option currently not available on the platform’s mobile app.
To execute this, open your chosen web browser on your phone (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, or any other browser) and navigate to m.youtube.com. On the site, log into your Google account.
Once you’ve logged in, proceed to the “Shorts” section. At this point, tap the “X” icon located in the top-right corner of the section.
As soon as you tap “X“, YouTube will hide the “Shorts” section and display a message indicating that the section will remain concealed for 30 days.
The next time Shorts reappear in your feed, tap the “X” icon again, and the section will be obscured for another 30 days.
Suppress Shorts in YouTube’s Mobile App
The mobile application for YouTube, available on both iPhone and Android, doesn’t provide the option to remove Shorts. However, you can mark Shorts as “Not Interested” to temporarily dismiss them from your feed. Unlike the previous method, this does not guarantee a fixed duration for which Shorts will remain hidden.
To implement this, open YouTube on your device and access the “Shorts” section. Tap on the three-dot menu icon on a Shorts video and select “Not Interested“.
Repeat the process for each video in the “Shorts” section. Once completed, YouTube will momentarily suppress the “Shorts” section from your feed.
If Shorts reappear in your feed, simply mark them as “Not Interested” again to remove them.
Using an Older Version of YouTube’s Mobile App
Should you wish to continue using the YouTube app but want to avoid Shorts, consider downgrading to a version of the app prior to the introduction of the Shorts feature.
On an iPhone, installing an old version of an app is quite challenging, if not impossible. Hence, we recommend sticking to the other methods mentioned earlier. If you’re determined to try, check our guide on how to install an old version of an app on an iPhone.
For Android, though you can install older versions of apps via APK files, this method is generally not effective with Google’s stock apps, including YouTube. However, if your device came with YouTube version 14.12.56 or earlier, you can uninstall the app’s updates to revert to that version, effectively removing Shorts from your YouTube feed.
To achieve this on your Android phone, go to Settings > Apps > YouTube. In the top-right corner, tap the three dots and select “Uninstall Updates“. Once downgraded, ensure to turn off automatic updates to prevent the app from updating to the latest version that features Shorts.
Exclude Shorts from YouTube’s Desktop Site
For desktop users, removing Shorts from YouTube’s website is as simple as clicking an option. You can choose an option to hide Shorts for 30 days, and once this period ends, click the option again to hide Shorts for another 30 days, and so on.
Open your preferred web browser and visit YouTube.com. Ensure you’re logged into your account.
Locate the “Shorts” section on the site and click the “X” in the top-right corner of the section.
YouTube will then hide the section for 30 days, and you’re all done!
By following these steps, you can enjoy a YouTube experience free of those pesky short-form videos. Happy YouTube viewing!
Also, are you frustrated with your YouTube videos constantly pausing? You’re not alone. Discover the reasons why YouTube keeps pausing and how to fix it.
Other Ways to Customize Your YouTube Experience
Apart from disabling Shorts, there are other ways you can tailor your YouTube experience to better suit your preferences.
Using YouTube Settings
Dive into YouTube’s settings to tweak your viewing experience. You can adjust autoplay settings, restrict certain content, and change other features to suit your needs.
Utilizing Browser Extensions
Certain browser extensions can help you control what appears on your YouTube feed, including limiting or blocking Shorts. These tools give you more control over your YouTube viewing experience.
Taking Advantage of YouTube’s Advanced Features
YouTube’s advanced features offer a host of options to personalize your experience, including customizing playlists, subscribing to preferred channels, and blocking certain types of content.
Conclusion
While YouTube Shorts can be entertaining and a quick way to consume content, they may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Although you can’t completely disable them, you can significantly limit their presence by utilizing the steps and tips mentioned above. Enjoy a more personalized YouTube experience tailored to your preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2023, there’s no official way to permanently disable YouTube Shorts.
They cater to the rising trend of short, easily-digestible video content, which is particularly popular among younger audiences.
Yes, by providing feedback through the “Not interested” option and tweaking your settings, you can influence what appears on your homepage.
Yes, platforms like Vimeo and Dailymotion focus more on long-form content.
Yes, certain browser extensions can help control what content appears on your YouTube feed, including limiting or blocking Shorts.
