What blocking a video or channel actually does
Blocking on YouTube stops a channel from appearing in your recommendations, search results, and notifications. It does not delete the channel or prevent other people from watching it — it only changes what you see when you are logged into your account.
When you block a channel, YouTube learns not to suggest that creator's videos to you anymore. If you search for a blocked channel by name, it will still appear in results, but you will not see it recommended alongside other videos. Blocked channels cannot send you messages or post comments on your uploads if you have a YouTube channel yourself.
Blocking is different from reporting. Reporting tells YouTube that a video violates the platform's rules. Blocking just tells YouTube you do not want to see that creator's content.
Key Takeaways
- You can block a channel by clicking the three-dot menu next to any of its videos and selecting "Block user" or "Don't recommend channel."
- Blocking hides that channel's videos from your recommendations and search results, but does not remove the channel from YouTube.
- You can unblock a channel anytime by going to Settings, then Notifications, then managing your blocked channels list.
- Blocking a channel on YouTube does not block them on other Google services like Gmail or Google Drive.
How to block a channel from a video page
The fastest way to block a channel is from any video it has uploaded. Click the three vertical dots (the menu icon) in the top right corner of the video player or next to the video title. A dropdown menu will appear with several options.
Look for "Don't recommend channel" or "Block user" depending on whether you are on a computer or phone. Click that option. YouTube will when ready stop recommending that channel to you. You will not see a confirmation message — the menu will straightforward close.
On a phone, the three-dot menu is usually in the top right of the video player. On a computer, it appears in the same spot. If you do not see the option right away, scroll down in the menu — it is often near the bottom.
How to block a channel from the channel page itself
You can also block a channel by visiting its main page. Go to the channel, then look for the "About" tab near the top. Below the channel name and subscriber count, you will see a flag icon or three-dot menu. Click it.
Select "Block user" from the menu that appears. The channel will be blocked when ready. This method is useful if you want to block a channel before watching any of its videos, or if you have already watched several and want to make sure none of its content reaches you going forward.
Where to find and manage your blocked channels
YouTube keeps a list of every channel you have blocked. To see it, go to your account settings. On a computer, click your profile picture in the top right corner, then select "Settings." On a phone, tap your profile picture, then tap "Settings."
Look for "Notifications" in the left menu (on computer) or scroll down to find it (on phone). Under Notifications, you will see a section called "Blocked channels" or "Manage blocked channels." Click or tap it to see the full list.
From this list, you can unblock any channel by clicking the X or "Unblock" button next to its name. Unblocking a channel means YouTube will start recommending it to you again, though it will not automatically appear — it will only show up if the algorithm thinks it matches your interests.
What happens when you block a channel
Once you block a channel, its videos will not appear in your Home feed, Subscriptions feed, or search results. If you search for the channel by name, the channel page itself will still show up, but you will not see it recommended in the sidebar or in "Up next" suggestions.
If the blocked channel has posted a comment on a public video, that comment will still be visible to you — blocking only affects recommendations and notifications, not existing comments. However, you will not receive notifications if a blocked channel replies to your comments or sends you a message.
Blocked channels can still see your public videos and comments if they search for you. Blocking is one-way — it affects only what you see, not what they see.
Blocking versus reporting: when to use each
Blocking and reporting are two separate actions. Blocking is personal — it changes only your experience. Reporting tells YouTube that a video or channel breaks the platform's rules, like containing hate speech, misinformation, or spam.
If a video is straightforward not your taste, block the channel. If a video appears to violate YouTube's Community Guidelines, report it. You can do both at the same time. Reporting does not require you to block, and blocking does not report the channel — they are independent actions.
When you report a video, YouTube's team reviews it. When you block a channel, only your account is affected. Most videos that are reported but do not violate the guidelines will remain on the platform.
Blocking on different devices
The blocking process is slightly different depending on whether you use YouTube on a computer, phone, or tablet, but the result is the same. On a computer web browser, click the three-dot menu next to the video or on the channel page. On an iPhone or Android phone, tap the three-dot menu in the same locations.
If you block a channel on your phone, it is blocked on all your devices where you are signed into the same Google account. The same is true if you block on a computer — the block syncs across all your devices within a few minutes.
YouTube TV, YouTube Music, and YouTube Kids have their own blocking systems. Blocking a channel on the main YouTube app does not automatically block it on YouTube TV or YouTube Music, though you can block channels separately in each service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a blocked channel tell that I blocked them?
No. YouTube does not notify channels when you block them. The channel will not receive any message or alert. They will only notice if they check their analytics and see that your account is no longer viewing their videos, but they will not know why.
If I block a channel, will it stop appearing in my search results?
Mostly. Blocked channels will not appear in your recommendations or in the "Up next" sidebar, but if you search for the channel by name, the channel page itself will still show up. Videos from blocked channels will not appear in general search results for topics.
Can I block a channel without watching its videos?
Yes. Go to the channel's main page, click the three-dot menu or flag icon, and select "Block user." You do not need to watch any videos first. This is useful if you know you do not want to see a channel's content.
What if I block a channel by mistake?
Go to Settings, then Notifications, then "Manage blocked channels." Find the channel in the list and click "Unblock." The channel will when ready start appearing in your recommendations again.
Does blocking a YouTube channel block them on Gmail or Google Drive?
No. Blocking on YouTube only affects YouTube. If you want to block someone on Gmail, you have to do that separately in your Gmail settings. Google services do not share block lists across platforms.