Many users find the constant stream of YouTube Shorts disruptive when they are trying to watch long-form content or focus on a specific topic. The platform's aggressive promotion of these short videos can feel intrusive, pulling attention away from the intended video and fragmenting the viewing experience. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough for effectively turning off this feature across different devices, ensuring a more controlled and traditional video playback environment.
Understanding YouTube Shorts and the Disable Option
Before diving into the technical steps, it is important to understand what YouTube Shorts are and why the platform prioritizes them. Shorts are vertical videos under 60 seconds designed to capture attention quickly, often using trending audio and fast cuts. While popular with creators looking to reach new audiences, this format does not suit every viewer or every viewing session. The option to disable Shorts is not about deleting content, but rather about removing the recommendation feed that appears alongside or before the content you specifically want to watch.
Disabling Shorts on the Desktop Website
The most straightforward method to regain control of your YouTube homepage and watch page is through a desktop browser. The interface provides a clear toggle that filters out the Shorts feed from your recommendations. Follow these steps to adjust your settings:
Sign in to your YouTube account to ensure changes are saved to your profile.
Navigate to the homepage or any page where Shorts are being recommended.
Locate the "Shorts" section heading, which is usually positioned above the video grid.
Click the three-dot menu icon (⋮) located at the top right of the Shorts shelf.
Select "Don't recommend shorts" from the dropdown menu to hide them from your feed.
Adjusting Activity Controls for Deeper Filtering
If you want to ensure Shorts history is not used to influence future recommendations, you can manage your activity controls. This method acts as a more permanent filter, telling YouTube to ignore your engagement with Shorts entirely.
Managing Shorts on Mobile Applications
The mobile experience requires a slightly different approach, as the interface is designed for quick scrolling rather than detailed settings menus. Whether you are using an iPhone or an Android device, the settings are buried within the main menu. Here is how to locate the toggle:
Open the YouTube app and ensure you are on the main homepage.
Tap the "Shorts" banner that appears in your feed to load the Shorts shelf.
Tap the "Sort" button, which usually appears as "Shorts you might like."
Select the option that says "Don't recommend shorts" to remove them from your feed.
