Many users find the constant stream of Shorts on the YouTube app disruptive to their viewing habits. If you prefer long-form content or simply want a break from the vertical video format, learning how to remove shorts from the YouTube app is a smart way to reclaim your feed. This guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions to help you filter out these videos effectively.
Why You Might Want to Hide Shorts
The YouTube Shorts format, while popular, is not for everyone. Some viewers find the rapid-fire transitions and constant stimulation distracting or too time-consuming for in-depth learning. Others may have limited data plans and wish to avoid the potential for excessive mobile data usage. Whatever your reason, understanding how to remove shorts from the YouTube app puts you back in control of your entertainment experience.
Method 1: Using the Not Interested Option
Step-by-Step Removal
The most direct way to remove shorts from your recommendations is to actively signal your disinterest. This method trains the algorithm based on your specific feedback.
Tap and hold on the thumbnail of any YouTube Short that appears in your feed.
A menu will pop up with several options.
Select "Not interested" from the list.
Confirm by tapping "Submit" when prompted.
Method 2: Adjusting Watch Time Preferences
Refining Your Settings
YouTube’s algorithm heavily weights watch time. Since Shorts are designed to be quick, the platform often interprets a watch of a full Short as a signal to show you more. Adjusting your general watch preferences can indirectly help you remove shorts from the YouTube app.
While there isn't a specific "disable Shorts" toggle, focusing on longer videos is the most effective long-term strategy. When you see a Short, deliberately clicking on a standard video thumbnail instead teaches the algorithm your preference more clearly than hiding individual Shorts.
Method 3: Utilizing the Explore Feed Filters
Navigating the Menu
When you are browsing the Explore tab, you have the ability to filter content before it loads. This is a proactive approach to ensure you are not immediately flooded with vertical content.
By consciously selecting the "Longer videos" filter, you effectively remove shorts from the YouTube app's initial display in that section, creating a more traditional browsing environment.
Managing Your Activity Controls
Pause and Clear History
Your watch history directly influences the Shorts you see. If you have been watching Shorts, the algorithm assumes you want more. To reset this, you need to manage your activity.
Go to your YouTube History and pause it. This prevents YouTube from storing your future viewing sessions, which stops the Shorts loop. You can also clear your recent search history specifically for Shorts to remove those triggers from your recommendations.
Creating a Distraction-Free Environment
For users who find the Shorts shelf at the top of the homepage particularly annoying, the solution is simple avoidance. Do not click on the "Shorts" tab located below the search bar. Treating this section as invisible helps steer your attention toward the "Videos" tab, which houses the traditional, longer content you are likely seeking.
Consistency is key here; the more you ignore the Shorts shelf, the less YouTube will prioritize it in your interface.
