How to Block YouTube Shorts Without Blocking YouTube
To block YouTube Shorts without blocking YouTube, install SiteBlocker for Chrome or Firefox, open the Block List tab, and switch on the YouTube Shorts section. Leave youtube.com off your block list. Shorts pages stop opening, the Shorts shelf and sidebar button disappear, and normal videos are untouched. It is free.
What still works with YouTube Shorts blocked
Only YouTube Shorts is affected. The rest of YouTube carries on as normal.
- Normal videos, at any length
- Your subscriptions feed
- Search and watch history
- Playlists and Watch Later
- Comments, likes and channel pages
- YouTube Music, on its own domain
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Why people turn YouTube Shorts off
- + Shorts is a different product wearing YouTube’s clothes: an infinite vertical feed, autoplaying, with no natural end.
- + One Short is never one Short. The format is built so that stopping requires a decision and continuing requires nothing.
- + Most people never search for Shorts — they get pulled in from the home feed, which is why hiding the shelf matters as much as blocking the page.
- + Blocking all of YouTube is too blunt when you use it for work, learning or music.
Block YouTube Shorts with SiteBlocker
- 1
Install SiteBlocker
Add the free SiteBlocker extension to Chrome or Firefox. No account is required to start.
- 2
Open the Block List tab
In the SiteBlocker app, open the Block List tab and scroll to "Distracting sections".
- 3
Switch on YouTube Shorts
Turn on the YouTube Shorts switch. YouTube Shorts stops opening and its buttons and thumbnails are hidden, on every device you are signed in on.
- 4
Leave the site itself off your block list
Sections work alongside your block list, not instead of it. Keep YouTube unblocked and only YouTube Shorts is affected — or attach the section to a schedule so it applies during your work hours only.
Blocking YouTube Shorts: FAQ
Does blocking Shorts also block normal YouTube videos?
No. The Shorts section only covers youtube.com/shorts. Normal videos, subscriptions, search, playlists and comments all keep working exactly as before.
Is blocking YouTube Shorts free?
Yes. Section blocking is free for everyone, with no account required to start. It is not part of the Pro plan.
What happens when I click a Short from the home feed?
You land on the SiteBlocker page instead of the Short. Clicking into Shorts from inside YouTube does not reload the page, which is how most Shorts blockers miss it — SiteBlocker watches for that navigation specifically.
Will the Shorts shelf still appear on my homepage?
No. The shelf on the home and search pages, the individual Shorts cards, and the Shorts button in the sidebar are all hidden. Blocking only the address would still leave a row of thumbnails on every visit.
Can I block Shorts only during work hours?
Yes. Sections follow the schedule they are attached to, so you can have Shorts blocked from 9 to 5 on weekdays and available in the evening.
Does this work on Firefox?
Yes. SiteBlocker runs on both Chrome and Firefox with the same sections, and your settings sync between them if you sign in.
Other sections you can turn off
See all six on the short-form blocking page , or explore every SiteBlocker feature on the features page.
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