Hey guys! Are you also annoyed by YouTube Shorts popping up everywhere? Want to get rid of them and get back to your regular YouTube experience? You're definitely not alone! YouTube Shorts, while fun for some, can be a bit overwhelming if you're just trying to watch longer videos. The good news is, there are several ways to minimize or even eliminate Shorts from your YouTube feed. Let's dive into the methods to clean up your YouTube experience and say goodbye to those endless short videos.

Understanding YouTube Shorts and Why Remove Them

Before we jump into how to remove YouTube Shorts, let's quickly understand what they are and why you might want to get rid of them. YouTube Shorts are short-form, vertical videos, similar to TikTok or Instagram Reels. They're designed for quick consumption and are heavily promoted by YouTube to compete in the short-video market.

Why might you want to remove them? Well, there are a few common reasons:

• Distraction: Shorts can be incredibly distracting, pulling you into an endless scroll and making it hard to focus on longer content.
• Algorithm Overload: The YouTube algorithm might start prioritizing Shorts in your feed, making it harder to find the regular videos you enjoy.
• Personal Preference: Simply put, you might not like the short-video format and prefer longer, more in-depth content.

Whatever your reason, it's totally valid to want a YouTube experience that's free from the constant barrage of Shorts. Now, let's get into the solutions!

Method 1: Using Browser Extensions

One of the easiest and most effective ways to remove YouTube Shorts, especially if you primarily watch YouTube on your computer, is by using browser extensions. These extensions are like little add-ons that change the way YouTube looks and behaves. Here are a couple of popular options:

1.1. "Block The Shorts" Extension

Block The Shorts is a straightforward extension available for Chrome, Firefox, and other Chromium-based browsers. As the name suggests, it simply blocks Shorts from appearing in your YouTube feed, subscriptions, and search results. Here’s how to use it:

1. Install the Extension: Search for "Block The Shorts" in the Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons and click "Add to Chrome" or "Add to Firefox."
2. Enable the Extension: Once installed, the extension should automatically start working. You might need to refresh your YouTube page.
3. Customize (Optional): Some extensions allow you to customize how Shorts are blocked. For example, you might be able to choose to hide the Shorts shelf on the homepage but still allow Shorts to appear in search results.

Why is this effective? Browser extensions like Block The Shorts directly modify the YouTube website, preventing Shorts from even loading. This means they won't clutter your feed or distract you while you're browsing.

1.2. "YouTube Enhancer" Extension

YouTube Enhancer is a more comprehensive extension that offers a wide range of customization options, including the ability to block Shorts. This is a great option if you want more control over your YouTube experience.

1. Install the Extension: Find "YouTube Enhancer" in your browser's extension store and install it.
2. Configure the Settings: After installation, click on the extension icon in your browser toolbar. This will open the YouTube Enhancer settings panel.
3. Block Shorts: Look for the option to "Hide Shorts" or "Block Shorts" (the exact wording may vary depending on the version). Enable this option.
4. Customize Further (Optional): YouTube Enhancer offers many other options, such as blocking annotations, auto-pausing videos, and more. Feel free to explore these settings to customize your YouTube experience to your liking.

Why choose this option? YouTube Enhancer provides a more holistic approach to customizing YouTube. Besides blocking Shorts, you can tweak various other aspects of the site, giving you a truly personalized experience. This can significantly improve your overall viewing experience, especially if you find other elements of YouTube distracting or annoying.

1.3 Considerations for Using Extensions

While browser extensions are super handy, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Privacy: Always check the permissions that an extension requests before installing it. Make sure you trust the developer and that the extension isn't asking for unnecessary access to your data.
• Updates: Keep your extensions updated to ensure they continue to work correctly and to benefit from any bug fixes or new features.
• Conflicts: Sometimes, extensions can conflict with each other or with YouTube itself, causing unexpected behavior. If you experience issues, try disabling your extensions one by one to see if that resolves the problem.

Method 2: Using Third-Party Apps

If you primarily watch YouTube on your phone or tablet, browser extensions won't be an option. In this case, you can use third-party apps to filter out Shorts. These apps essentially act as alternative YouTube clients, offering more control over what you see.

2.1. NewPipe

NewPipe is a popular open-source YouTube client for Android that prioritizes privacy and offers a clean, customizable interface. It doesn't rely on the official YouTube API, so you can use it without a Google account. Here’s how to use it to avoid Shorts:

1. Download and Install: NewPipe isn't available on the Google Play Store, so you'll need to download the APK from the official NewPipe website or F-Droid.
2. Configure Settings: Once installed, open NewPipe and go to the settings menu.
3. Block Shorts: Look for options to filter out Shorts from your feed, search results, and trending videos. The exact wording may vary depending on the version of NewPipe.
4. Enjoy YouTube: Browse YouTube as usual through NewPipe, and you should find that Shorts are significantly reduced or completely eliminated.

Why NewPipe? NewPipe is great because it's lightweight, privacy-focused, and doesn't require a Google account. It also offers other useful features, such as background playback and ad-free viewing.

2.2. LibreTube

LibreTube is another open-source YouTube client focused on privacy. Like NewPipe, it allows you to watch YouTube without tracking and offers the ability to filter out Shorts.

1. Download and Install: You can download LibreTube from its official website or F-Droid.
2. Customize Filters: Once installed, open LibreTube and navigate to the settings.
3. Exclude Shorts: Find options to exclude Shorts from appearing in your feeds and searches.
4. Start Watching: Enjoy YouTube content through LibreTube without the distraction of Shorts.

Why use LibreTube? LibreTube is a solid alternative with similar features to NewPipe, emphasizing user privacy and customization.

2.3 Considerations for Third-Party Apps

Using third-party YouTube clients can be beneficial, but keep these points in mind:

• Security: Only download apps from trusted sources, such as official websites or reputable app stores like F-Droid. This helps protect you from malware and other security threats.
• Updates: Since these apps aren't officially supported by YouTube, they may break or become outdated if YouTube changes its platform. Make sure to keep the app updated to ensure compatibility.
• Features: Third-party apps may not have all the features of the official YouTube app. You might miss out on certain functionalities, such as live chat or official channel subscriptions (though many offer similar alternatives).

Method 3: Training the Algorithm (Less Effective, But Worth a Try)

While not as direct as browser extensions or third-party apps, you can try to train the YouTube algorithm to show you fewer Shorts. This involves actively disliking Shorts, not watching them, and seeking out longer videos that you enjoy.

3.1. Dislike and "Not Interested"

Whenever a Short appears in your feed, click the dislike button (thumbs down) and select the "Not Interested" option. This tells YouTube that you don't want to see similar content.

3.2. Watch Longer Videos

Spend more time watching longer videos that you enjoy. This signals to YouTube that you prefer this type of content. Subscribe to channels that produce long-form videos and actively engage with their content.

3.3. Clear Watch History and Search History

Clearing your watch history and search history can help reset the algorithm and give it a fresh start. This can be useful if you've been watching a lot of Shorts and want to change your recommendations.

3.4. Why This Method Might Not Be Enough

While training the algorithm can help to some extent, it's not a foolproof solution. YouTube is heavily promoting Shorts, so they may still appear in your feed even if you actively try to avoid them. This method is more effective when combined with other techniques, such as using browser extensions or third-party apps.

Method 4: Mobile App Tweaks (Limited, But Helpful)

There aren't many direct ways to remove Shorts from the official YouTube mobile app, but there are a few tweaks you can try to minimize their presence.

4.1. Avoid the "Shorts" Tab

The most obvious step is to simply avoid the "Shorts" tab at the bottom of the YouTube app. This tab is designed specifically for watching Shorts, so staying away from it will reduce your exposure.

4.2. Don't Engage with Shorts

If a Short appears in your regular feed, resist the urge to watch it. Don't like, comment, or share Shorts, as this will only encourage YouTube to show you more.

4.3. Report Shorts as Not Relevant

If you see a Short that you find particularly irrelevant or annoying, you can report it to YouTube. This might help to reduce the number of similar Shorts that appear in your feed.

4.4. Why This Method Is Limited

The official YouTube app is designed to promote Shorts, so there are limited options for completely removing them. These tweaks can help to reduce their presence, but they're unlikely to eliminate them entirely.

Conclusion: Reclaim Your YouTube Experience

YouTube Shorts can be a fun way to pass the time, but they're not for everyone. If you're tired of the endless scroll and want to focus on longer content, there are several ways to remove or minimize Shorts from your YouTube experience. Whether you choose to use browser extensions, third-party apps, train the algorithm, or tweak the mobile app, you can reclaim your YouTube experience and enjoy the content you love without the distraction of Shorts. Good luck, and happy viewing!