Reclaiming Your YouTube: How to Hide Shorts and Take Back Your Feed

Remember when YouTube was about watching actual videos? You’re not alone. The platform’s algorithm has evolved to prioritize short-form content, pushing YouTube Shorts into every corner of the interface—even when you’ve explicitly said you don’t want to see them. But there’s a solution, and it’s elegantly simple.

The Core Insight

The uBlock Hide YT Shorts project isn’t just another browser extension filter—it’s a statement. Created initially by developer @gijsdev and now maintained by @i5heu, this open-source filter list eliminates every trace of YouTube Shorts from your browsing experience. No more scrolling past them in recommendations. No more Shorts shelf on the homepage. No more Shorts button in the navigation.

What makes this particularly interesting is the maintenance story. After the original creator vanished for six months, the community stepped up to keep it alive. This is open source at its finest: organic, user-driven, and responsive to actual problems people face.

Why This Matters

YouTube Shorts have fundamentally altered the platform’s character. What was once a video-sharing platform with deep content has become TikTok’s closest competitor. For users seeking educational or long-form content, the Shorts flood is frustrating.

But here’s the deeper point: we’re witnessing a microcosm of a larger battle. Platforms optimize for engagement metrics that don’t align with user satisfaction. The solution isn’t waiting for YouTube to change—it’s taking back control of your own digital environment.

The filter also includes an optional comment-hiding feature, targeting another notorious source of negativity and time-wasting.

Key Takeaways

• uBlock Origin remains the gold standard for browser content blocking
• Open-source maintenance depends on community involvement—when someone steps away, others can carry the torch
• User autonomy in digital spaces requires active resistance against platform defaults
• Sometimes the best tech solution is a simple filter, not a complex AI

Looking Ahead

This pattern will likely repeat across platforms. As algorithmic content recommendation becomes more aggressive, expect more users to seek refuge in ad blockers and content filters. The question isn’t whether to opt out—it’s how long platforms will allow users to do so.

The irony is delicious: YouTube’s parent company Google makes Chrome, but users are blocking Google’s own product features to improve their experience. That’s a signal worth paying attention to.

Based on analysis of uBlock Origin filter list to hide YouTube Shorts