There is no switch that turns YouTube Shorts off. What there is, depending on where you watch, is a set of controls that get you most of the way — and on the desktop web, an extension route that gets you the rest.
The most effective single action is “Not interested” on Shorts you are shown. It is unglamorous, and it works, because the recommendation system responds to explicit signals more than to anything else you can do.
Checked August 2026. YouTube changes its interface frequently, and the available controls differ between the app and the website.
On the phone app
Hide the Shorts shelf temporarily
- On the home feed, find the Shorts shelf.
- Select the × in its top-right corner.
- Choose to hide it.
This hides the shelf for around 30 days, then it returns. Repeat when it does — it takes two seconds.
Turn off Shorts in search results
Where offered, search result pages have a filter that excludes Shorts. Use the filter control at the top of the results.
Mark individual Shorts as not interested
The one that actually changes what you are shown:
- Press and hold, or use the three-dot menu on a Short.
- Choose Not interested, or Don’t recommend channel.
Do this consistently for a week and the volume drops noticeably. The algorithm treats these as strong signals — considerably stronger than simply scrolling past.
Clear and reset your recommendations
If your feed has become mostly Shorts:
- Go to You → History → Manage all history.
- Delete your watch history, or pause it.
Pausing watch history removes personalised recommendations entirely — the home feed becomes generic. Some people prefer that; it is a real trade rather than a free win. See managing your Google activity.
On the desktop website
Use Subscriptions instead of Home
The simplest and most durable answer. youtube.com/feed/subscriptions shows only channels you follow, in order, with no Shorts shelf and no recommendations.
Bookmark it and use it as your YouTube home page. This single change removes most of what people dislike about the modern interface.
Browser extensions
Several extensions hide Shorts completely on the desktop web, and redirect Short URLs to the normal player.
An extension that modifies YouTube needs permission to read and change pages on that site — and many request access to all sites instead. Check the publisher and recent reviews, and after installing, set Site access to On specific sites so it only runs on YouTube. Extensions get sold and updated silently; see how to choose a browser extension safely.
Redirect a Short to the normal player
No extension needed for a single video: change /shorts/ in the address to /watch?v=. The same video opens in the standard player, with the progress bar and playback speed controls.
On a smart TV
Controls are the most limited here. Use Not interested where the interface offers it, and rely on the Subscriptions tab rather than Home.
YouTube Premium and Shorts
Premium removes advertising, including in Shorts. It does not remove Shorts themselves — that is worth knowing before subscribing for this reason.
What actually works, ranked
- Use the Subscriptions feed as your default. Removes Shorts from view entirely.
- “Not interested” consistently for a week or two. Reduces how many you are shown everywhere.
- Hide the shelf when it appears. Thirty days at a time.
- An extension on desktop, chosen carefully.
- Pause watch history if you want a generic feed and accept losing recommendations.
Frequently asked questions
Can I turn Shorts off permanently?
No. There is no setting for it. The Subscriptions feed avoids them entirely, which is the closest thing to a permanent answer.
Why does the Shorts shelf come back after I hide it?
Hiding it is time-limited — around 30 days. It is designed as a temporary dismissal, not a preference.
Does “Not interested” actually do anything?
Yes, and more than most people expect. It is one of the strongest explicit signals available, and used consistently it changes what you are shown within days.
Do extensions that block Shorts work on mobile?
Not in the app. On Android, a browser that supports extensions can apply them to the YouTube website. On iOS, Safari content blockers can hide some elements on the site, but not in the app.
Does YouTube Premium remove Shorts?
No. It removes advertising. Shorts remain.
Will pausing my watch history stop Shorts?
It stops personalised recommendations, which reduces them. It also removes useful recommendations, so it is a trade rather than a straightforward improvement.
