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Use “Don’t recommend channel” first if you want a YouTuber out of your Home feed, then add stronger controls like Restricted Mode, YouTube Kids, or browser extensions if YouTube keeps showing similar content. YouTube does not offer one perfect “block this creator everywhere” button for regular accounts, which is annoying, but you can still reduce unwanted channels fast.
TL;DR: To block or restrict a YouTuber, tap the three dots next to a video and choose “Don’t recommend channel”. For example, if a child’s Home feed shows 10 gaming videos and 4 come from loud reaction channels, removing those channels can cut that content by about 40% in a single cleanup pass. For stricter control, use Restricted Mode, supervised accounts, YouTube Kids, or a browser extension that blocks channels from search and recommendations.
What Blocking a YouTuber Really Means
On YouTube, “blocking” can mean several different things. You might want to stop seeing a creator in your recommendations. You might want to block their comments. You might want to keep a child away from a channel. Or you may want to erase a creator from search results completely.
The frustrating part is that YouTube treats these as separate actions. A channel you remove from your Home feed can still show up in search. A channel hidden from comments may still be visible in Shorts. Honestly, it feels like YouTube makes you press three buttons when one would do.
Here are the main options:
- Don’t recommend channel: Best for cleaning your Home feed.
- Not interested: Useful for training the algorithm on topics you dislike.
- Restricted Mode: Filters many mature videos, though it is not perfect.
- YouTube Kids controls: Best for blocking specific channels for children.
- Browser extensions: Best for blocking channels from search, Home, and sidebars.
- Reporting: Best for harassment, scams, impersonation, or harmful content.
How to Stop YouTube Recommending a Channel
This is the quickest method. It works on the YouTube mobile app, desktop site, smart TVs, and many tablet versions.
- Open YouTube and go to your Home feed.
- Find a video from the creator you do not want to see.
- Tap or click the three dots next to the video title.
- Select “Don’t recommend channel.”
- YouTube will confirm that it will stop recommending videos from that channel.
This does not delete the channel from YouTube. It also does not stop you from finding it through search, links, playlists, or comments. Still, it is the best first step for most people.
If you clicked it by mistake, YouTube may show an Undo option for a short time. Use it right away. Once it disappears, fixing the choice becomes harder.
Use “Not Interested” for Topics, Not Just Channels
If YouTube keeps showing the same type of content from different creators, use “Not interested” too. This tells YouTube that the topic itself is not welcome.
- Find an unwanted video.
- Click the three dots.
- Choose “Not interested.”
- If available, click “Tell us why.”
- Select a reason, such as “I’ve already watched the video” or “I don’t like the video.”
This is especially useful for content waves. Maybe you watched one prank video, and now half your feed is fake drama. Expect to waste a few extra seconds per video while cleaning it up, but the feed usually improves after repeated signals.
How to Block a Channel on YouTube Kids
YouTube Kids gives parents much stronger tools than regular YouTube. If you are managing a child’s account, this is where channel blocking works best.
- Open the YouTube Kids app.
- Find a video from the channel you want to block.
- Tap the three dots beside the video.
- Choose “Block this video” or “Block entire channel.”
- Enter your parent passcode or complete the required verification.
You can also block channels from a watch page. Tap the three dots, choose a block option, and confirm. If you manage more than one child profile, check that you are editing the correct one.
Turn On Restricted Mode
Restricted Mode helps filter out mature content. It is not the same as blocking a creator, but it can reduce videos with adult themes, graphic talk, or unsafe material.
On Desktop
- Go to YouTube.
- Click your profile picture.
- Scroll down and select Restricted Mode.
- Switch it On.
On Mobile
- Open the YouTube app.
- Tap your profile picture.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap General.
- Turn on Restricted Mode.
Restricted Mode is based on signals such as video titles, descriptions, user reports, and automated checks. It may block harmless videos. It may also miss some bad ones. Use it as a filter, not a guarantee.
Block Channels More Aggressively with Browser Extensions
If you use YouTube on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or another desktop browser, extensions can give you tougher controls. Some tools let you block channels by name, hide videos with certain keywords, remove Shorts, or stop comments from showing.
Search your browser’s extension store for terms like “YouTube channel blocker” or “video blocker.” Before installing anything, check:
- Recent reviews: Avoid extensions with many new complaints.
- Update history: YouTube changes often, so old extensions may break.
- Permissions: Be cautious if an extension asks for access beyond YouTube.
- Privacy policy: Skip tools that collect too much browsing data.
This method is best for adults who want a cleaner desktop experience. It can also help students who get pulled into time wasting channels while researching.
Manage Shorts, Search, and Watch History
Sometimes the problem is not one creator. It is your viewing history. YouTube recommends more of what you watch, pause on, like, and search for.
Try these cleanup steps:
- Remove videos from Watch History: Go to History, then remove videos that trained YouTube badly.
- Pause Watch History: Useful if someone else is using your account.
- Clear Search History: Helpful if old searches keep shaping your feed.
- Unsubscribe: If you dislike a creator now, remove the subscription too.
- Use separate profiles: Do not mix children’s viewing with your own account.
Shorts can be stubborn. If you keep seeing the same creator, tap the three dots on the Short and choose “Don’t recommend this channel” or “Not interested” when available. The options may vary by app version.
How to Block or Hide Someone from Your Own Channel
If you are a creator and another YouTuber or viewer is bothering you in comments, use Hide user from channel. This does not block them from watching your public videos, but their comments will be hidden from public view.
- Find one of their comments on your video.
- Click the three dots beside the comment.
- Select “Hide user from channel.”
You can also manage hidden users in YouTube Studio. Go to Settings, then Community, and review hidden users or blocked words. Add phrases you never want in your comments, such as slurs, spam terms, or scam links.
When to Report Instead of Block
Blocking is for content you dislike. Reporting is for content that may break YouTube’s rules.
Report a creator or video if it includes:
- Harassment or threats
- Impersonation
- Scams or phishing
- Sexual content involving minors
- Hate speech
- Graphic violence
- Dangerous challenges or harmful instructions
To report a video, click the three dots, choose Report, select a reason, and submit it. To report a channel, open the channel page, go to the About section when available, click the flag icon, and follow the prompts.
Best Setup for a Cleaner YouTube Feed
For most people, the best setup is simple. Use “Don’t recommend channel” for creators you dislike. Use “Not interested” for topics you want gone. Clean your Watch History once a month. Turn on Restricted Mode for safer general browsing.
For children, use YouTube Kids or a supervised account instead of a normal account. For desktop users who want stronger blocking, add a trusted browser extension. YouTube may not give you one perfect block button, but with a few steady clicks, you can make the feed much less irritating.