You can block individual videos on YouTube so they stop showing up in your recommendations and search results

YouTube lets you hide videos you don't want to see again. When you block a video, it disappears from your recommendations, your search results, and your watch history. The video stays on YouTube — other people can still find it — but your account won't surface it to you anymore.

The method depends on where you see the video. You can block from your recommendations feed, from search results, from a channel page, or from inside a video you're already watching. Each location has a slightly different menu, but they all lead to the same result.

Key Takeaways

  • Blocking a video hides it from your recommendations and search results, but does not delete it or prevent others from watching it.
  • You can block a video from your home feed, search results, a channel page, or while watching by clicking the three-dot menu next to the video title.
  • Blocked videos are stored in a list you can view and unblock anytime in your YouTube settings under "Manage all history."
  • Blocking a single video is different from blocking an entire channel — blocking a channel removes all that creator's content from your feed.
  • The block feature works on YouTube's website, the YouTube app on phones and tablets, and YouTube on smart TVs, though the menu location varies slightly.

How to block a video from your home feed or recommendations

Open YouTube and look at your home feed. Find the video you want to block. In the top right corner of that video's thumbnail, you'll see three vertical dots (called a menu button). Click or tap those three dots.

A small menu will pop up. Look for the option that says "Don't recommend channel" or "Not interested." Click "Not interested." YouTube will immediately remove that video from your feed and use it as a signal to show you fewer videos from that creator in the future.

If you want to block the video more completely — so it never appears in any search or recommendation — look for "Block video" or "Remove from history" in that same menu. The exact wording changes depending on your device, but the three-dot menu always contains the option you need.

How to block a video from search results

Search for a topic on YouTube. When the results appear, find the video you want to block. Click the three-dot menu button next to that video's title or thumbnail.

Select "Don't recommend channel" to reduce videos from that creator, or look for "Block" or "Remove" to hide that specific video entirely. The video will disappear from your search results immediately.

Search results remember your blocks. If you search for the same topic again, the blocked video won't reappear. However, if someone else uses your account or you sign out and back in, the block stays tied to your account, not your device.

How to block a video while you're watching it

If you're already playing a video and decide you don't want to see similar content, look at the video title area. Below the title, you'll see a row of buttons: "Like," "Dislike," "Share," and a three-dot menu.

Click the three-dot menu. A dropdown will appear with several options. Select "Don't recommend channel" to reduce recommendations from this creator, or look for "Block video" to hide this specific video from your account entirely.

Blocking while watching is useful when you stumble on content you don't want YouTube to learn about. The block takes effect immediately, and the video won't appear in your recommendations or search results going forward.

How to block videos on the YouTube mobile app

Open the YouTube app on your phone or tablet. Navigate to the video you want to block — this could be on your home feed, in search results, or on a channel page.

Tap the three-dot menu next to the video. On phones, this menu is usually in the top right corner of the video thumbnail or below the video title. On tablets, the location is the same but the menu may appear slightly larger.

Tap "Don't recommend channel" or look for "Block video" in the menu. The app will remove the video from your feed immediately. The block syncs across all your devices — if you block a video on your phone, it stays blocked when you watch YouTube on your computer or TV.

How to see and unblock videos you've blocked

Go to YouTube.com and click your profile picture in the top right corner. Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu.

On the left side, click "Privacy." Scroll down and look for "Manage all history" or "Clear watch history." Click that option.

You'll see a page with your watch history. At the top, there's a search box and filter options. Look for a filter that says "Blocked videos" or "Hidden videos." Click it to see everything you've blocked.

To unblock a video, find it in the list and click the three-dot menu next to it. Select "Unblock" or "Restore." The video will immediately reappear in your recommendations and search results.

The difference between blocking a video and blocking a channel

Blocking a single video hides only that one piece of content. You'll still see other videos from the same creator in your recommendations and search results.

Blocking an entire channel removes all videos from that creator. To block a channel, go to the creator's channel page, click the three-dot menu, and select "Block user" or "Block channel." This is a stronger action and affects everything that creator uploads.

You can also use the "Don't recommend channel" option, which is softer than blocking — it tells YouTube to show you fewer videos from that creator, but doesn't hide them completely. Experiment with which option fits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the creator know I blocked their video?

No. Blocking a video is private to your account. The creator cannot see that you blocked their content, and it does not affect their view count or channel statistics. YouTube treats a blocked video the same as a video you simply never watched.

Can I block videos on YouTube TV or a smart TV?

Yes, but the menu location is different. On a smart TV, use your remote to highlight a video, then press the menu or options button. Look for "Block" or "Don't recommend" in the menu that appears. The process is slower than on a phone or computer, but the result is the same.

If I block a video, does it affect what other people see?

No. Your blocks are personal to your account. Other people using YouTube, or other people using your account on a different device, will still see the video in their recommendations and search results. Blocking only changes what appears for you.

What happens if I block a video by mistake?

You can unblock it anytime. Go to your YouTube settings, click "Privacy," then "Manage all history," and filter for "Blocked videos." Find the video you want to restore and click "Unblock." It will reappear in your recommendations immediately.

Does blocking a video also block it from appearing in playlists or channels I'm subscribed to?

Blocking removes the video from your recommendations and search results, but if you visit a channel page directly or click on a playlist, you may still see the blocked video listed there. To avoid it completely, you may want to block the entire channel instead.