How To Block Channels on YouTube [All You Need To Know]

YouTube has completely transformed how people engage with online content. Its users stream 694,000 hours of video content per minute across its 51 million channels.

The platforms’ extensive video library lets users find content relevant to their hobbies, passions, and interests. However, amidst this vast ocean of content, it's common to come across channels that don't align with your preferences.

In such situations, having the tools to block channels and ensure a positive and tailored YouTube experience becomes essential.

Learn how to block YouTube channels in this article. Let's get into it!

🔑 Key Takeaways:

Block Channels on YouTube - Getting Rid of Unwanted Content

Blocking a YouTube channel signals the platform that you no longer wish to see any content from that particular channel.

There are two ways to achieve this:

• Don’t Recommend Channel
• Hide User From My Channel

Your feed and recommendations will no longer include the channel's videos, and you can concentrate on relevant content.

Read on to find out when and how to use each technique.

Method 1: Use the “Don’t Recommend Channel”

If you're tired of unwanted YouTube channels flooding your home page, the Don't Recommend Channel option guarantees that videos from this channel will no longer show on your home page.

You can still access the channel's content by manually searching for it in the search box. However, the method does not prohibit that channel from commenting on your videos, which is something to consider if you are a content creator. 

If this is what you need to fix the issue, here are the steps to take:

Blocking YouTube Channels on Your Computer

YouTube has designed its platform to be user-friendly. Users can easily block irrelevant YouTube channels on the web with just a few clicks.

Here’s how:

1. Open your browser and type "www.youtube.com" into the address bar.

2. Login with your YouTube credentials. You can choose from any of the two icons, redirecting you to the same page.

3. Find a video on your YouTube homepage that you think is irrelevant.

4. Hover your cursor to the video title, and a three-dot menu icon will appear, click on that icon. Then, click “Don’t recommend channels.”

Utilizing the YouTube App to Block Unwanted Channels

The Youtube app has several useful features, including blocking channels. Using a smartphone or tablet will make it easier to access these features.

To block a channel through the app version, follow the steps below.

1. Open your device's YouTube app.

2. After launching the app, find any video that doesn’t interest you.

3. Same with using a computer, tap on the three-dot menu icon underneath the video.

4. Select the Don’t recommend channel.

Block YouTube Channels with a Mobile Browser

Some users don't have the app installed. Instead, they utilize web browsers such as Chrome and Safari to access YouTube. Users can still block unwanted YouTube channels through this.

Here is a step-by-step process on how:

1. The process is similar to using a PC. First, open your device browser.

2. Type “www.youtube.com” in the address bar.

3. Login with your YouTube credentials.

Step 4: Locate the unwanted content. Then, tap on the three-dot menu icon.

Step 6: Select the Don’t recommend channel.

Method 2: Using YouTube’s “Hide User From My Channel” Option

Imagine posting a fun video of your friends or family on YouTube. Then, a few hours later, an unknown account floods your entire comment section with inflammatory or irrelevant comments.

In this situation, it’s best to ignore the provocations and immediately block the account. This is where the second method comes in handy. 

When you choose the “Hide User From My Channel” option, not only does YouTube refrain from recommending the channel’s videos, but it will also restrict the channel’s ability to leave comments on any of your videos.

This is particularly helpful for content creators dealing with troll accounts spreading hate in their channels. 

Dig in to find out more about this approach.

Blocking YouTube Channels on Your Computer

This approach has a few extra steps to take. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the process.

1. Like Method 1, open a browser and search for “www.youtube.com” in the address bar. Then, sign in to your YouTube account.
2. Type the channel’s username in the search bar.

3. Go to the channel’s page by clicking the channel name.

4. Look for the About tab on the channel page and click on it.

Step 5: In the About tab, you’ll find a flag icon on the page’s right side. Click on that icon to open the dropdown menu.

Step 6: Choose Hide user from my channel.

Step 7: Then click Submit.

Block Irrelevant YouTube Channels Using the YouTube App

Employing the second method on the app is a straightforward process and only takes a few taps. 

Here’s how to do it:

1. On your device, launch the app.

2. Search for the channel that you wish to block.

3. Go to the channel’s page by tapping its name.

4. On the channel’s page, tap the three-dot menu icon at the top-right corner.

5. Choose Hide user from my channel.

Step 6: Then select Hide User.

Method 3: Adding Browser Extensions to Block YouTube Channels

Searching for the channels you want to block and then blocking them is laborious. The process would consume a significant amount of your time.

Web browser extensions have made this process easy. While extensions are often used to add features and improve website functioning, they may also be used for removing unfavorable YouTube videos.

We’ve curated the best ones and come up with these two:

• BlockTube
• Channel Blocker

Now, you don’t need to scour the Internet looking for the best browser extension that can efficiently do the task.

So, go ahead and follow the steps below!

BlockTube

BlockTube is crafted to elevate your YouTube browsing experience. The extension is available in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. 

It can do the following:

• Block videos by name
• Block channels by name
• Block comments from specific users or by content keywords
• Block/Allow videos with specific runtime
• Block YouTube Shorts
• Block YouTube Movies
• Block Explore page
• Block YouTube's auto-generated playlists
• Hide watched videos from recommendations
• Remove "Video paused, continue watching?" popups

Here’s how to use BlockTube.

1. On your laptop or desktop, launch your most used browser. Search for BlockTube, and click on the top result.

2. You’ll be redirected to the BlockTube Chrome extension page. Click on Add to Chrome.

3. Select Add Extension.

Step 4: After you have installed the extension, you can then access it through the Extensions icon. Click on the icon and select BlockTube. 

Step 5: You’ll be redirected to BlockTube’s filter options, look for the Channel Name section. Then, type in the names of the channel that you want to block.

Step 6: Hit Save.

Channel Blocker

Channel Blocker is a popular browser plugin that enables users to block YouTube videos and comments. It has an impressive 90,000 users and an average rating of 4 out of 5. 

Take a look at this browser add-on because this might be the perfect fit for you.

This is how you can do it:

Step 1: On your laptop or desktop, launch your most used browser. Search for Channel Blocker and click on the top result.

2. You’ll be redirected to the Channel Blocker Chrome extension page. Click on Add to Chrome.

3. Select Add Extension.

4. After installing the extension, you can access it through the Extensions icon on the top-right corner of the page. Click on the icon and select Channel Blocker. 

5. On the configuration page, enter the channel name you want to block on the right pane. Then click the + button to add it to the block list.

Three Ways To Unblock A YouTube Channel

You can occasionally experience trouble seeing a certain YouTube channel. This happens due to various factors, such as unintentional blocking, limited access, or channel-related disagreements.

Accidentally blocking a channel is common, but this can be easily fixed. Once you’ve blocked a YouTube channel on your laptop or mobile device, you will instantly be given the option to revert the action.

As the name implies, the "Undo" button will quickly reverse the modifications you've made.

However, if you happen to miss tapping or clicking the button, you'll have to go through a lengthy process to unblock a YouTube channel.

Here’s how it’s done:

Method 1: Unblock A YouTube Channel Via Google Activity Page

Instead of relying on the undo button, you can visit the Google Activity page on your laptop or mobile device. From there, you can navigate through your activities and remove blocked channels.

The instructions below will walk you through the process.

1. Open Google Chrome, and click on the user icon.

2. Click on Manage your Google Account.

3. It will redirect you to your Google Account page. Then, select Data & privacy.

4. On the Data & Privacy page, scroll down and look for History settings, then select My Activity.

5. It will redirect you to your Google Activity page. Select Other Activity.

6. Scroll down until you encounter the YouTube ‘Not Interested’ feedback In this particular section, you’ll find a Delete button. Proceed to click on it.

7. Click on Delete again.

Method 2: Using The Flag Icon to Unblock A YouTube Channel

In the same manner that you utilized the flag button to block the channel, you can use the same approach to unblock it.

Here’s the outline of the steps for you.

1. Search for the channel you want to unblock on the YouTube homepage.

2. Go to the channel’s page by clicking the channel name.

3. Look for the About tab on the channel page and click on it.

4. In the About tab, you’ll find a flag icon on the page's right side. Click on that icon to open the dropdown menu.

5. Choose Unhide user from my channel.

6. Then click Submit.

Method 3: Unblocking YouTube Channels with YouTube Studio

YouTube Studio is an all-in-one platform for content creators. It gives you access to various tools and functionalities for managing your channel.

Unblocking previously blocked channels is an essential part of channel management. To do this, follow the steps below:

1. On your laptop or desktop, launch your most used browser. Go to “www.youtube.com.” Then click your YouTube profile.

2. Go to YouTube Studio.

3. Go to Settings.
   
4. Select Community.

5. In Automated Filters, scroll down and look for the Hidden users section.

6. Click the X icon next to the channel’s name that you wish to unblock.

7. Click Save.

Final Words

Blocking YouTube channels is a great practice to enhance your browsing experience. Throughout this article, we have explored all possible methods to block unwanted channels.

Whether you’re a parent looking out for your children’s safety or simply tired of seeing irrelevant content, always approach the process with consideration.

Staying mindful of your choices will provide a more tailored and enjoyable YouTube experience.