You can block a channel on YouTube in two ways: hide its videos from your recommendations, or report it if it violates YouTube's rules
The first method — blocking a channel — removes its videos from your recommendations and search results. YouTube calls this "Don't recommend channel." The second method is reporting, which you use when a channel breaks YouTube's community guidelines. Most people want the first option: they just don't want to see a particular creator's content anymore.
Blocking a channel does not notify the creator, does not remove their videos from YouTube, and does not prevent you from finding them if you search directly. It only hides them from your feed and recommendations. If you want a stronger action — like getting a channel removed — that requires reporting it to YouTube for violating specific rules.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking a channel hides its videos from your recommendations and search results, but the channel stays on YouTube and you can still find it if you search for it by name.
- To block a channel, click the three-dot menu on any video from that creator and select "Don't recommend channel," or visit the channel page and use the menu there.
- Reporting a channel is different from blocking it and should only be used when the channel violates YouTube's community guidelines, such as harassment, hate speech, or misinformation about voting.
- YouTube does not tell creators when you block them, and blocking does not affect what they see or do on the platform.
How to block a channel from a video in your feed
The fastest way to block a channel is from any video that creator posted. In your YouTube feed or search results, find a video from the channel you want to block. Click the three vertical dots (the menu icon) in the top right corner of the video thumbnail or next to the video title.
A menu will appear with several options. Look for "Don't recommend channel" and click it. YouTube will immediately stop showing that channel's videos in your recommendations, your home feed, and your search results. You can undo this at any time by going back to that channel and clicking the same menu to select "Recommend channel" again.
How to block a channel from the channel page itself
If you are already on a creator's channel page, you can block them from there instead. Look for the three vertical dots next to the channel name (usually in the top right area of the channel header). Click those dots to open a menu.
Select "Block user" or "Don't recommend channel" — the exact wording varies depending on whether you are on a computer or phone, and which version of YouTube you are using. After you click it, that channel will be blocked. You will see a confirmation message telling you the channel has been blocked.
The difference between blocking and reporting a channel
Blocking and reporting are two separate actions that do different things. Blocking is a personal preference tool — it hides a channel from your view only. Reporting tells YouTube that a channel violates its rules and should be reviewed by YouTube staff.
You should report a channel only if it breaks YouTube's community guidelines. These include harassment or bullying, hate speech, violent extremism, child safety violations, spam, or false information about voting or elections. Reporting does not immediately remove a channel; YouTube reviews the report and decides whether to take action. Blocking happens instantly and only affects what you see.
If a channel is simply not your taste — the topic bores you, the creator annoys you, or you disagree with their opinions — blocking is the right choice. If a channel is posting content that threatens people, harasses individuals, or spreads dangerous misinformation, reporting is the right choice. You can do both at the same time.
What happens after you block a channel
Once you block a channel, YouTube stops showing its videos to you in most places. You will not see them in your home feed, your recommendations, or your search results. However, if you search for that channel by name, you can still find it and watch its videos if you choose to. Blocking is not a permanent ban on your part — it is just a preference setting.
The creator does not receive a notification that you blocked them. They cannot see who has blocked them or how many people have blocked their channel. Blocking them does not affect their view count, their ability to post, or anything else on their end.
How to unblock a channel
If you change your mind and want to see a channel's videos again, you can unblock it. Go to your YouTube settings by clicking your profile picture in the top right corner and selecting "Settings." On a phone, tap your profile picture and look for "Settings."
In Settings, find "Blocked users" or "Blocked channels" (the exact location varies by device). You will see a list of every channel you have blocked. Find the one you want to unblock and click the X or "Unblock" button next to it. That channel's videos will start appearing in your recommendations again.
When to report instead of block
Report a channel to YouTube when it contains content that violates YouTube's rules, not when you simply do not like it. Examples of reportable content include videos that threaten violence, harass a specific person, promote discrimination based on race or religion, contain child exploitation, or spread false information about voting procedures.
To report a channel, click the three-dot menu on the channel page and select "Report channel." YouTube will ask you to choose a reason for the report from a list of violations. Select the one that best matches what you are reporting. YouTube staff will review your report, though they may not take action if the content does not violate their guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the creator know I blocked them?
No. YouTube does not notify creators when someone blocks their channel. They cannot see who has blocked them or access any information about it. Blocking is completely private on your end.
Can I block a channel on my phone the same way as on a computer?
Yes, the process is the same on phones and computers. Find a video from that channel, tap or click the three-dot menu, and select "Don't recommend channel." On the channel page itself, the menu location may look slightly different on a phone, but the option is there.
If I block a channel, will it affect my recommendations in other ways?
Blocking one channel only hides that channel from you. It does not change YouTube's recommendations for other creators or topics. YouTube's recommendation system continues to work the same way for everything else you watch.
What if I block a channel but then search for it by name?
You can still find and watch videos from a blocked channel if you search for it directly by name. Blocking only removes it from your feed and recommendations — it does not prevent you from accessing it if you look for it intentionally.
Can I block multiple channels at once?
No, you have to block channels one at a time. There is no bulk-block feature on YouTube. Go through your feed or search results and block each channel individually using the three-dot menu.