Simple Ways to Disable YouTube Shorts on YouTube

Sunny Wen 07/01/2026

CleverGet Recorder

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YouTube Shorts is a short video feature launched by YouTube to respond to the short video trend, similar to TikTok and Instagram Reels. Each clip usually lasts no more than 60 seconds, but by the end of 2024, the length limit was changed to 3 minutes. It features full-screen immersive playback, quick swipe navigation, and personalized algorithm recommendations, making it a popular choice for users to quickly consume content. However, as it has become more popular, some people have started to worry and want to know how to disable YouTube Shorts. Why is that? The reasons are as follows:

Cognitive fragmentation. Constant exposure to highly stimulating, low-logical fragmented content can reduce users’ thinking capacity and make it harder to understand complex concepts.

Easy to become addicted. The powerful algorithm of short videos makes users easily get hooked, losing control over their time, especially teenagers with weaker self-control who are more prone to addiction.

Decreased attention span. Frequently scrolling through short videos can weaken the brain’s ability to focus for extended periods, making it difficult for users to concentrate on long videos, reading, or studying tasks, and harder to calmly complete a single task.

Potential adverse effects. Some videos contain harmful information or convey negative emotions such as anxiety and depression, which may have potential impacts on the mental health of teenagers. At the same time, some content that promotes materialism, gender discrimination, or spreads incorrect values may also mislead teenagers who have not yet developed mature judgment abilities.

For these reasons, in addition to many parents, some users feel they are overly dependent on short videos and have started seeking to disable or hide the short video feature, hoping to return to a more self-directed viewing experience.

Part 1: What Are YouTube Shorts?

As a short video section officially launched by the YouTube platform in 2020, the core of YouTube Shorts lies in using algorithms to instantly recommend highly entertaining, easy-to-produce vertical content, created by users using the Shorts camera feature within the YouTube app. Users can record videos directly and add music, filters, text, stickers, etc., or upload existing videos from their gallery. The completed content will be displayed on the user’s channel and can be included in the homepage recommendation list. This feature has fully penetrated the main YouTube interface; for example, users may encounter Shorts mixed in while browsing subscriptions, be recommended related short videos after watching long-form content, and find a dedicated entry point in the mobile bottom navigation bar.

After gaining a comprehensive understanding of YouTube Shorts, you will more easily understand how to turn off YouTube Shorts. Please continue reading.

Part 2: Simple Ways to Disable YouTube Shorts on Any Device

I introduced six ways to help you disable YouTube Shorts, and I believe there’s one that will work for you!

1. Mark as “Not Interested”

This method applies to users who use the mobile version of YouTube. After selecting “Not Interested”, similar content recommendations will be reduced. You can also further choose “Don’t Want to See Videos from This Channel” to block specific sources. This method requires continuous operation. The system will gradually adjust the recommendation weights, but it cannot completely remove the Shorts section entry.

Step 1: Open the YouTube app and click on Shorts.

Step 2: Long-press the Shorts video and click “Not Interested”.

2. Disable Playback in Feeds

This method can stop Shorts from playing continuously. Although it cannot affect the display of Shorts, it can prevent videos from automatically starting when you scroll to that section, which can help reduce distractions.

Step 1: Tap your profile icon in the bottom right, then tap the settings icon in the top right.

Step 2: Tap “Playback”

Step 3: Tap “Playback in Feeds,” and then tap “Off” to complete the process.

3. Use Browser Extensions

By using browser extensions, the method of blocking Shorts across the entire website applies to both PC and mobile browsers. However, some browsers that do not support extensions, such as Internet Explorer or Opera, cannot use this method. Nevertheless, many browser extensions are available, such as Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari, etc. These extensions will remove the short video section from the homepage and hide short videos on other pages, and also prevent the automatic playback of short videos when you browse the YouTube app on your mobile device. After installing and enabling the extension, you will not be able to see any short videos on YouTube.

Step 1: Install and enable them in your browser.

Step 2: Refresh the YouTube page or restart the browser for these changes to take effect.

4. Hide Shorts for 30 Days

YouTube has launched the “Hide Shorts” feature. Users can go to the Shorts playback interface, click the three-dot menu, and select hide short videos. The system will then suspend recommending related content for 30 days. However, this feature is not yet fully rolled out, so if you can’t find this option, try updating the app.

5. Disable Watch History

Short-term recommendations heavily rely on historical behavior data. So after turning off “Watch History” in your account settings, the system will no longer recommend Shorts based on past views, reducing recommendation accuracy and effectively lessening dependency on videos.

Step 1: Open the settings page of your personal account,

Step 2: Click “YouTube history”,

Step 3: Click “CONTROLS” and turn off Watch History.

6. Save the Videos You Like to Watch Later

This way, you can watch them directly from the watch list, effectively suppressing your urge to keep watching continuously. Of course, if you want to be able to repeatedly watch your favorite videos without using YouTube Shorts, you can use professional tools such as CleverGet Recorder for local saving. This not only avoids constantly watching short videos but also allows you to build your own personal media library. CleverGet Recorder can record YouTube videos you are interested in. There are no restrictions, and the recorded videos have no expiration date. You can use it with confidence. What’s more, it is completely free to use!

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Part 3: Final Thoughts

All of the above methods can achieve the purpose of disabling YouTube Shorts to some extent. You can choose the method that suits you based on your situation, such as whether you are using a mobile device or a web browser. Personally, I recommend the sixth method, as it not only prevents YouTube Shorts from opening but also allows you to convert YouTube Shorts to MP4 so that you can watch interesting videos permanently.