What blocking a video actually does

Blocking a video on YouTube means telling the platform you do not want to see content from that creator or channel again. When you block a video, YouTube removes it from your recommendations, search results, and your home feed. The creator cannot see that you blocked them, and blocking does not report or penalize their account — it is purely a tool for your own viewing experience.

YouTube offers two separate blocking tools that work differently. The first is blocking individual videos, which hides that specific video but you may still see other content from the same creator. The second is blocking an entire channel, which removes all current and future uploads from that creator from your feed and recommendations. Understanding which one you need prevents frustration later.

Key Takeaways

  • Blocking a video hides only that one video from your recommendations and search results, but you may still see other uploads from the same creator.
  • Blocking a channel removes all content from that creator from your feed, recommendations, and search results going forward.
  • The block menu appears when you click the three-dot menu next to a video title or in your recommendations.
  • You can unblock videos or channels at any time through your YouTube settings under "Blocked content".

How to block a single video from your recommendations

Start by finding the video you want to block. Hover your mouse over the video thumbnail or title until a three-dot menu appears in the corner. On mobile, tap the three dots next to the video title. Click or tap those three dots to open a small menu with several options.

Look for the option that says "Don't recommend channel" or "Not interested" — the exact wording depends on whether you are on desktop or mobile, but both do the same thing. Click that option. YouTube will when ready remove that video from your recommendations and home feed. The video will also stop appearing in your search results for that session.

This method is fastest when you are scrolling through recommendations and see something you do not want to watch. It does not block the entire channel, so you may still encounter other videos from the same creator in the future.

How to block an entire channel

If you want to remove all content from a creator, blocking the channel is more thorough. Open any video from that creator and click the creator's name or profile picture to go to their channel page. At the top of the channel, you will see an "About" tab — click it.

Scroll down on the About page until you see a flag icon with the word "Report" next to it. Click that flag icon. A menu will appear with several options, including "Block user". Select "Block user" and confirm when YouTube asks you to verify. This removes the entire channel from your recommendations, search results, and home feed.

On mobile, the process is similar but the menu location differs slightly. Open the channel, tap the three-dot menu at the top right of the channel header, and select "Block user" from the dropdown menu. Confirm the block when prompted.

Blocking videos while watching

You can also block content while a video is playing. Look at the video player controls and find the three-dot menu icon, usually located near the bottom right of the player. Click it to see options including "Don't recommend channel" or "Block user" depending on what you want to do.

This approach works well when you start watching a video and realize partway through that you do not want to see similar content. Blocking while the video plays is faster than navigating to the channel page, and YouTube when ready stops recommending that content to you.

Finding and unblocking videos or channels

If you change your mind about a block, you can undo it. On desktop, click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Settings". Go to the "Privacy and safety" section on the left side menu. Click "Blocked content" to see a list of every video and channel you have blocked.

Find the video or channel you want to unblock and click the "X" or "Unblock" button next to it. YouTube will when ready restore that content to your recommendations and search results. On mobile, go to Settings, tap "Privacy and safety", then "Blocked content" to see and manage your blocks the same way.

You can unblock content at any time, and there is no limit to how many videos or channels you can block. Your blocked content list is private — only you can see it.

What blocking does not do

Blocking a video or channel does not report the creator to YouTube or affect their account in any way. The creator cannot see that you blocked them, and blocking does not reduce their view count or earnings. If you want to report a video for violating YouTube's policies — such as containing hate speech, harassment, or misinformation — use the "Report" option instead of blocking.

Blocking also does not prevent you from accidentally finding the content through a direct link. If someone sends you a link to a blocked video, you can still click it and watch. Blocking only removes the content from YouTube's recommendation systems and your search results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block videos from a creator without blocking their entire channel?

Yes. Click the three-dot menu next to the video and select "Don't recommend channel" or "Not interested". This hides that specific video but leaves the channel unblocked, so you may see other uploads from the same creator in the future. If you want to remove all their content, block the entire channel instead.

Will the creator know I blocked them?

No. Creators cannot see who has blocked them or their channels. Blocking is completely private and only affects what appears in your own feed and recommendations. The creator's view count and earnings are not impacted by your block.

Can I block videos on the YouTube app?

Yes. The process is the same on mobile as on desktop. Tap the three-dot menu next to a video or channel name and select the block option. You can also manage your blocked content list in the YouTube app by going to Settings, then Privacy and safety, then Blocked content.

What is the difference between blocking and reporting?

Blocking removes content from your recommendations only. Reporting tells YouTube that a video violates their policies and asks the platform to review it. Use reporting for content that is harmful, hateful, or breaks YouTube's rules. Use blocking when you straightforward do not want to see that creator's content anymore.

Can I see a list of everything I have blocked?

Yes. Go to Settings, select Privacy and safety, then click Blocked content. You will see every video and channel you have blocked. You can unblock any of them by clicking the X or Unblock button next to the item.