YouTube's built-in blocking tools stop videos from appearing in your feed, recommendations, and search results
YouTube gives you several ways to hide videos you don't want to see. The simplest is the "Don't recommend channel" option, which removes that creator's videos from your recommendations and search results — but doesn't prevent you from finding them if you search directly. You can also block individual videos, use YouTube's Restricted Mode to filter mature content, or install a browser extension that blocks videos by keyword or channel. The method you choose depends on whether you want to hide something temporarily, block an entire creator, or set up automatic filtering for your household.
These tools work on YouTube's website and app, though some features are more limited on mobile. None of them require a YouTube account, though some settings sync across devices only if you're signed in.
Key Takeaways
- "Don't recommend channel" hides a creator's videos from your feed and recommendations, but you can still find them by searching.
- Restricted Mode filters out videos YouTube flags as mature content and is useful for shared devices or younger viewers.
- Browser extensions like Video Blocker or BlockTube let you block videos by keyword, channel name, or uploader without installing anything on YouTube itself.
- Blocking a single video removes it from your recommendations but doesn't prevent you from stumbling across it in search or playlists.
- Parental controls on your device or router can restrict YouTube access entirely, which is stronger than YouTube's own filtering tools.
How to block a channel from your recommendations
The fastest way to stop seeing a creator's videos is to tell YouTube not to recommend them. On the YouTube website, hover over any video from that channel and click the three-dot menu icon. Select "Don't recommend channel." YouTube will immediately stop showing that creator's videos in your recommendations, your home feed, and search results.
On the YouTube app for phone or tablet, tap the three-dot menu on any video from the channel you want to block, then tap "Don't recommend channel." The effect is the same: their videos disappear from recommendations and search, but you can still find them if you type the channel name directly into the search bar.
You can undo this at any time. Go to your YouTube account settings, select "Notifications," then scroll to "Manage all preferences." Find "Channels you don't want recommendations from" and click the X next to any channel to restore recommendations from them.
How to hide individual videos
If you want to block one specific video rather than an entire channel, click the three-dot menu on that video and select "Don't recommend videos like this." YouTube will reduce how often similar videos appear in your recommendations, though it won't remove them entirely.
This is useful when you see a video you find offensive, misleading, or just uninteresting, but you don't want to block the entire channel. The downside is that YouTube's algorithm decides what "similar" means, so you may still see related content from the same creator or topic.
Using Restricted Mode to filter mature content
Restricted Mode is YouTube's built-in content filter that hides videos YouTube flags as containing mature themes, profanity, violence, or sexual content. It's not perfect — some videos slip through, and some appropriate videos get blocked by mistake — but it catches most adult content.
On a computer, scroll to the bottom of any YouTube page and click "Restricted Mode: On" in the bottom right corner. A popup will appear asking you to confirm. On the YouTube app, go to your account icon, tap "Settings," then "General," and toggle "Restricted Mode" on.
Restricted Mode is device-specific, not account-specific. If you turn it on in your browser, it only affects that browser on that computer. If you turn it on in the YouTube app, it only affects that app on that phone. If you share a device with others, each person can have their own Restricted Mode setting if they have their own user account on that device.
Installing a browser extension to block videos by keyword
Browser extensions give you more control than YouTube's built-in tools. Video Blocker (available for Chrome and Firefox) lets you block videos by channel name, uploader, or keyword. BlockTube (Chrome and Firefox) does the same and also lets you block entire categories like "Shorts" or "Live streams."
To use Video Blocker, install it from the Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons, then click the extension icon and add the channel name or keyword you want to block. Videos matching your filters won't appear in search results, recommendations, or your home feed. You can add or remove filters anytime.
These extensions only work in the browser where you install them. If you use YouTube on your phone, on a different browser, or on a shared computer, you'll need to set up the extension on each one separately. They also don't work if you're signed out of YouTube or using an incognito window.
Setting up parental controls on your device or network
If you need stronger restrictions — for example, to prevent a child from accessing YouTube entirely during certain hours — use your device's built-in parental controls or your router's settings instead of YouTube's tools.
On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users, create a child account, and set screen time limits and app restrictions. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Parental Controls. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. On Android, go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing & parental controls.
These device-level controls override YouTube's settings and can block YouTube entirely, limit daily usage, or restrict access to specific apps. They're more reliable than YouTube's own filters because they work across all apps and websites, not just YouTube.
What blocking does and doesn't do
Blocking a channel or video removes it from recommendations, your home feed, and search results — but it doesn't prevent you from finding it if you know the exact URL or if someone sends you a link. It also doesn't hide videos that appear in playlists, comments, or other users' channels.
If you block a channel, you won't see their videos in your recommendations, but you can still visit their channel page directly if you type their name into the search bar. If you block a video, similar videos may still appear because YouTube's algorithm decides what counts as "similar."
Blocking is also not the same as reporting. If a video violates YouTube's community guidelines — for example, if it contains hate speech or harassment — use the three-dot menu to select "Report" instead of "Don't recommend." Reporting sends the video to YouTube's moderation team, which may remove it entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I block videos on YouTube without signing in?
Restricted Mode works without signing in — just click "Restricted Mode: On" at the bottom of any YouTube page. Browser extensions like Video Blocker also work without an account. However, "Don't recommend channel" and blocking individual videos require you to be signed into your YouTube account, because those settings are tied to your account.
Will the person who made the video know I blocked them?
No. Blocking a channel or video is private. The creator has no way to see that you blocked them, and it doesn't affect their view count or channel performance. YouTube only tells creators how many total views they have, not who watched or who blocked them.
What's the difference between blocking and unsubscribing?
Unsubscribing removes a channel from your subscription list, but you may still see their videos in recommendations and search results. Blocking removes them from recommendations and search. If you want to stop seeing a creator entirely, blocking is stronger than unsubscribing.
Can I block videos on the YouTube app the same way as on the website?
Most features work the same way — tap the three-dot menu and select "Don't recommend channel" or "Don't recommend videos like this." However, Restricted Mode is easier to access on the app (go to Settings > General), and browser extensions don't work on mobile at all. If you need extension-level blocking on your phone, you'll need to use a different browser or app that supports extensions, like Firefox.
If I block a channel, will it affect other people using my account?
Yes. Blocking settings sync across all devices where you're signed into the same YouTube account. If you block a channel on your computer, it will also be blocked on your phone and any other device you use. If you share a YouTube account with someone else, you'll both see the same blocked channels. To have separate blocking settings, each person needs their own YouTube account.