YouTube has three ways to block videos: hiding them from your recommendations, restricting them on a shared device, and using parental controls

The method you choose depends on who you are blocking videos from. If you want to stop seeing a video in your own recommendations, you can tell YouTube not to recommend the channel. If you are managing a device that children use, you can turn on Restricted Mode, which filters out mature content across the platform. If you need stronger controls — like preventing someone from watching certain videos altogether — you can set up a supervised account with parental controls.

Each approach works differently and gives you different levels of control. Some block videos from appearing in recommendations only. Others prevent playback entirely. Some require a password to override.

Key Takeaways

  • You can prevent a channel from appearing in your recommendations by clicking the three-dot menu on any video and selecting "Don't recommend channel".
  • Restricted Mode filters mature content across YouTube and can be turned on in your account settings, though it is not foolproof and can be toggled off without a password.
  • Parental controls on a supervised account let you block specific content and require a password to change settings, making them stronger than Restricted Mode.
  • Device-level controls through your phone or computer's operating system can block the YouTube app or website entirely, which is the most restrictive option.

Hiding channels from your recommendations

The simplest way to stop seeing videos from a specific channel is to tell YouTube not to recommend it to you. This does not block the channel entirely — you can still find it by searching — but it removes videos from your home feed and recommendations.

To do this, go to any video from the channel you want to hide. Click the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of the video player. Select "Don't recommend channel" from the menu. YouTube will stop showing you videos from that channel in your recommendations.

You can undo this at any time by visiting the channel directly and clicking the three-dot menu again. The option will now say "Recommend channel". This method works only for your own account and does not affect what other people see.

Turning on Restricted Mode for your account

Restricted Mode is a YouTube setting that filters out videos marked as mature or potentially inappropriate. It reduces — but does not eliminate — the chance that you or someone using your account will see adult content.

To turn on Restricted Mode, sign into your YouTube account and scroll to the bottom of any page. Click your profile picture in the top right corner, then select "Settings". Go to "General" and toggle "Restricted Mode" to on. YouTube will ask you to confirm. Once you turn it on, it stays on for that account across all devices you sign into.

Restricted Mode is not a parental control because anyone with access to your account can turn it off again without a password. It is a preference setting, not a lock. If you need to prevent someone from disabling it, you need parental controls instead.

Setting up parental controls with a supervised account

If you are managing a device for a child or teenager, you can create a supervised account that gives you real blocking power. A supervised account requires a password to change settings, turn off Restricted Mode, or access blocked content.

To set this up, go to myaccount.google.com and click "Create account for my child or teen" under "Family". Follow the steps to create the account with the child's name and birthdate. Once the account exists, sign into it on the device the child will use.

After the account is created, go to families.google.com and sign in with your own account. Click the child's account and select "Controls on Google Play". From there you can set content restrictions, block the YouTube app entirely, or restrict what videos can be watched. Any changes to these settings require your parent password.

The supervised account also lets you see what the child has watched and set screen time limits. These controls work across YouTube, Google Play, and other Google services on that device.

Using device-level blocking on phones and computers

If you want to block YouTube entirely on a device — rather than just certain videos — you can use your phone or computer's built-in parental controls.

On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, then Screen Time. Tap "Content & Privacy Restrictions" and turn it on. Go to "Allowed Apps" and toggle YouTube off. The app will disappear from the home screen and cannot be opened without your Screen Time password.

On Android, go to Settings, then Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls. Tap "Parental controls" and set it up with a PIN. You can then block specific apps, including YouTube, and set daily time limits. The blocked app cannot be opened without the PIN.

On a Windows computer, go to Settings, then Accounts, then Family & other users. Click "Parental controls" and set up an account for the person you want to restrict. You can then block websites and apps through the Family Safety dashboard.

On a Mac, go to System Preferences, then Parental Controls. Select the user account you want to restrict and check "Restrict websites". You can then add YouTube to the blocked list.

Blocking videos through YouTube's reporting system

If a video violates YouTube's policies — such as containing hate speech, harassment, or illegal content — you can report it instead of just blocking it. Reporting does not remove the video for you personally, but it flags it for YouTube's review team.

Click the three-dot menu on any video and select "Report". Choose the reason that best describes the problem: spam, misleading, abusive content, or another violation. YouTube will review your report, though it may take time and the video may not be removed if it does not break the rules.

Reporting is different from blocking because it is meant for content that breaks YouTube's terms of service, not just content you personally do not want to see. If you simply dislike a video, use the "Don't recommend channel" option instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block a video without blocking the entire channel?

YouTube does not have a way to block a single video while still seeing other videos from the same channel. You can only block at the channel level using "Don't recommend channel", or use Restricted Mode to filter mature content. If you want to hide one specific video, your only option is to report it if it violates YouTube's policies.

Does Restricted Mode prevent someone from watching blocked videos?

No. Restricted Mode filters recommendations and search results, but anyone with access to your account can turn it off without a password. If you need to prevent someone from disabling the filter, you must use a supervised account with parental controls instead, which requires a password to change.

Will blocking a channel prevent me from finding it if I search for it?

Using "Don't recommend channel" only removes the channel from your recommendations and home feed. You can still search for the channel by name and watch its videos if you choose to. If you need to prevent someone from finding a channel at all, you must use parental controls or device-level blocking.

Can I block videos on YouTube Kids?

YouTube Kids has its own parental controls built in. You can set a PIN to restrict what content is available and control screen time. Go to the parent settings in YouTube Kids and adjust the content level, or block specific channels and videos from the app itself.

What happens if someone tries to watch a blocked video on a supervised account?

They will see a message saying the content is restricted and will be asked to enter the parent password to proceed. Without the correct password, they cannot watch the video or change the settings that block it.