Reclaiming Your YouTube: How to Finally Kill the Shorts Algorithm

Remember when YouTube was about finding something fascinating and getting lost in a 20-minute deep dive? Those days feel increasingly distant. The platform has aggressively pushed Shorts—those vertical, TikTok-clone videos—into every corner of the interface. But what if you could simply make them disappear? A small but dedicated open-source project makes exactly that possible.

The Problem with Shorts

Let’s be honest: YouTube Shorts isn’t inherently evil. It’s a format designed for passive scrolling, optimized for dopamine hits rather than meaningful content consumption. The issue is algorithmic—once you watch one Short, the platform floods your homepage, sidebar, and recommended sections with more. It’s become nearly impossible to use YouTube as a traditional video library without accidentally falling into a Shorts rabbit hole.

This isn’t just about personal preference. Many users report that Shorts actively degrades their experience: longer videos get pushed down, the search functionality prioritizes Shorts results, and the entire interface feels cluttered. For professionals using YouTube for learning or research, this is particularly problematic.

Enter uBlock Hide YouTube Shorts

Developer i5heu has created and maintains a filter list for uBlock Origin that removes every trace of YouTube Shorts from the platform. The project originally started by @gijsdev but was abandoned for six months before i5heu took over maintenance. That’s dedication to solving a very specific problem.

The filter works by targeting CSS elements and URL patterns associated with Shorts content. When properly configured, your YouTube experience becomes what it was meant to be—focused, algorithm-free, and centered on content you actually want to watch.

Beyond Just Shorts

Here’s an unexpected bonus: the same project includes filters to hide YouTube comments. Given the state of comment sections on most videos, this might actually be the more valuable feature for many users. Comments often add noise rather than insight, and removing them can create a cleaner, more focused viewing experience.

The Bigger Picture

What strikes me about this project is what it represents. In an era where platforms increasingly dictate user experience—forcing algorithms, formats, and engagement mechanics—sometimes the best solution is a community-maintained tool that gives users control back. uBlock Origin has evolved beyond just ad blocking; it’s become a tool for digital self-defense.

This isn’t about rejecting YouTube entirely. It’s about choosing how you engage with the platform. The project is independent, open-source, and clearly not affiliated with Alphabet or Google. It’s simply users helping users reclaim their attention.

If you’ve been frustrated by YouTube’s Shorts invasion, this is your solution. Install uBlock Origin, import the filter list, and rediscover what made YouTube great in the first place.

Based on analysis of GitHub – i5heu/ublock-hide-yt-shorts