YouTube gives you three ways to stop seeing content you don't want
You can block individual videos, entire channels, or use YouTube's restricted mode to filter mature content. The method you choose depends on whether you want to hide one video, remove all uploads from a creator, or set parental controls for a device. Each option takes less than a minute and works on phones, tablets, and computers.
YouTube stores your blocked channels and videos in your account settings, so the blocks follow you across devices when you're signed in. If you're blocking content on a shared device or for someone else, restricted mode is usually the better choice because it applies to that device specifically, not just your account.
Key Takeaways
- You can block a single video by clicking the three dots next to it and selecting "Don't recommend channel" or "Block user".
- Blocking a channel removes all videos from that creator from your recommendations, search results, and subscriptions list.
- Restricted mode filters mature content across YouTube and works on the device itself, not your account, making it useful for shared computers.
- Blocked channels and videos are stored in your account settings under "Blocked users" and can be unblocked anytime.
- YouTube does not notify creators when you block them, and blocked users cannot see your channel or contact you.
How to block a single video from appearing in your recommendations
When you see a video you don't want to see again, click or tap the three vertical dots (the menu icon) next to the video title. On a computer, this appears to the right of the video. On a phone or tablet, swipe left on the video or tap the three dots in the corner.
A menu will pop up with several options. Look for "Don't recommend channel" — this is the gentler option that hides videos from that creator without fully blocking them. YouTube will stop showing you recommendations from that channel, but you can still find their videos if you search for them directly. If you want a stronger block, select "Block user" instead, which removes the channel entirely from your view.
After you click either option, YouTube will ask you to confirm. Once confirmed, the video disappears from your screen and YouTube adjusts your recommendations immediately. You won't see other videos from that channel in your feed or recommendations, though they may still appear in search results if you look for them.
How to block an entire channel so you never see it again
To block a full channel rather than just one video, go to the channel's main page. You can reach it by clicking the channel name under any of their videos. Once you're on the channel page, look for the "About" tab and click it.
In the About section, you'll see a flag icon with three horizontal lines (the report icon) in the upper right corner. Click it and select "Block user" from the menu. YouTube will ask you to confirm that you want to block this channel. Once you confirm, all videos from that channel vanish from your recommendations, your subscriptions list, and your search results.
If you change your mind later, you can unblock the channel by going to your account settings. Click your profile picture in the top right, select "Settings," then go to "Privacy and safety" on the left side. Scroll down to "Blocked users" and you'll see a list of every channel you've blocked. Click the "Unblock" button next to any channel to restore it.
Using restricted mode to filter mature content on a device
Restricted mode is different from blocking individual channels — it's a device-level filter that YouTube applies to all content, not just your account. This is the right choice if you're setting up YouTube on a child's device or a shared family computer, because the filter stays active no matter who signs in.
On a computer, scroll to the bottom of any YouTube page and look for "Restricted Mode" in the footer. Click the toggle to turn it on. YouTube will ask you to confirm, and once you do, the filter activates immediately. Restricted mode will stay on for that browser until you turn it off again — even if you sign out or close the browser.
On a phone or tablet, the process is slightly different. Open the YouTube app, tap your profile picture, and select "Settings." Go to "General" and look for "Restricted Mode." Toggle it on, and YouTube will ask you to confirm. Like the computer version, it stays active on that device until you manually turn it off. Restricted mode filters out videos marked as mature, though it's not a perfect system — some mature content may still appear, and some appropriate videos may be filtered out by mistake.
What happens when you block someone on YouTube
When you block a channel, YouTube removes all their videos from your recommendations and search results. You won't see comments from that channel on other videos, and if they reply to your comments, you won't see their replies. However, you can still find their videos if you search for them directly by name — blocking doesn't make videos disappear from YouTube entirely, only from your personal view.
The blocked channel has no way to know you blocked them. YouTube doesn't send them a notification, and they can't see your channel, your videos, or your comments. If they try to visit your channel directly, they'll see a message saying the channel doesn't exist or isn't available to them. They also cannot send you messages or contact you through YouTube.
Blocking is one-way only. If you block a channel, they don't automatically block you back. If you later unblock them, YouTube doesn't notify them of that either — the unblock is silent and private to your account.
How to unblock a channel or video you blocked before
To see your list of blocked channels, click your profile picture in the top right corner of YouTube and select "Settings." On the left side menu, click "Privacy and safety." Scroll down until you see "Blocked users" — this section shows every channel you've blocked on your account.
Next to each blocked channel, you'll see an "Unblock" button. Click it to restore that channel to your recommendations and search results. Once you unblock them, their videos will start appearing in your feed again, and you'll see their comments on other videos. Unblocking takes effect immediately.
If you blocked a video using "Don't recommend channel" rather than "Block user," that video won't appear in your blocked users list. Instead, YouTube simply stops recommending that channel to you. There's no formal unblock button for these — YouTube will gradually start showing you videos from that channel again if you interact with similar content, or you can manually search for them to see their videos.
Blocking videos on YouTube Kids and family accounts
If you're managing a YouTube Kids account or a family account with parental controls, blocking works differently. YouTube Kids has its own restricted environment where most mature content is already filtered out, but you can block specific channels from the parent dashboard.
To block a channel on a family account, sign in to your parent account and go to "Family Link" in your Google Account settings. Select the child's account, then go to "Apps and devices" and find YouTube. From there, you can manage which channels and content are visible. You can also set screen time limits and review watch history.
For YouTube Kids specifically, open the app and tap the parent lock icon (usually a gear or lock symbol). Enter your PIN, then navigate to the content settings. You can block channels directly from here, and the blocks apply only to that child's account. YouTube Kids also has built-in filtering that removes most mature content automatically, so you may not need to block individual channels unless your child is searching for something specific you want to prevent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I block videos without signing into my YouTube account?
No. Blocking requires a YouTube account because YouTube needs to store your blocked list and apply it across your devices. If you're not signed in, you can still use restricted mode on that device, but individual blocks won't work. Sign in first, then use the three-dot menu to block videos or channels.
Will the creator know if I block them?
No. YouTube sends no notification to creators when you block their channel. They cannot see that you blocked them, and they have no way to find out. Blocking is completely private to your account.
What's the difference between "Don't recommend channel" and "Block user"?
"Don't recommend channel" hides videos from that creator in your recommendations but you can still find them through search. "Block user" removes them entirely from recommendations and search results. Block user is the stronger option if you never want to see that channel again.
If I block someone, can they still comment on my videos?
No. When you block a channel, they cannot see your videos, your channel, or your comments. They also cannot send you messages or interact with your content in any way. Any comments they posted before you blocked them will remain visible to others, but you won't see them.
Can I block a video but not the entire channel?
Yes. Use "Don't recommend channel" instead of "Block user." This hides that channel from your recommendations without a full block. You can still search for their videos and watch them if you choose to. It's useful when you want to see less from a creator but not eliminate them completely.