Block a channel in three taps

Open the YouTube app and find any video from the channel you want to block. Tap the three dots next to the video title or in the top right corner of the video player. Select "Don't recommend channel" from the menu that appears. YouTube will when ready stop showing you videos from that channel in your recommendations, search results, and home feed.

If you want to block a channel while watching one of their videos, you can also tap the three dots in the top right corner of the video player itself and choose the same option. The effect is identical either way.

Blocked channels can still appear in your subscriptions list if you were subscribed to them before blocking. You can unsubscribe separately if you want to remove them completely from your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Blocking a channel stops YouTube from showing you their videos in recommendations and search results, but does not delete their content from the platform.
  • You can block a channel from any video they uploaded by tapping the three dots and selecting "Don't recommend channel".
  • Blocked channels still appear in your subscriptions if you were already subscribed, so you may need to unsubscribe separately.
  • Blocking is different from reporting: blocking hides content from you, while reporting flags content to YouTube for violating community guidelines.

The difference between blocking and reporting

Blocking is a personal preference tool. It tells YouTube's algorithm not to show you videos from that creator anymore. The channel remains on YouTube and other people can still watch it. Only your own feed and recommendations change.

Reporting is different. When you report a channel, you are telling YouTube that the content violates their community guidelines — things like harassment, misinformation, or illegal activity. YouTube reviews reported content and may remove it or suspend the channel if they find a violation. Reporting is for content that breaks YouTube's rules, not for content you straightforward do not want to see.

If a channel is posting spam, hate speech, or content that harms minors, report it instead of blocking it. If a channel just makes content you are not interested in, blocking is the right choice.

What happens when you block a channel

After you block a channel, YouTube stops showing their videos in your home feed recommendations. You will not see them in search results either, unless you specifically search for that channel by name. Their videos will not appear in your "Watch Later" or "Recommended for You" sections.

If you visit the channel's page directly by searching for their name or clicking a link, you can still see their videos. Blocking does not prevent you from accessing the channel if you choose to — it just removes them from your automatic recommendations.

Comments from blocked channels still appear on other videos. If you want to hide comments from a specific person, you need to block that individual user, not their channel. You can do this by tapping their username in a comment and selecting "Block user".

How to unblock a channel

Go to your YouTube settings by tapping your profile picture in the top right corner of the app. Select "Settings" and then "Notifications and privacy". Scroll down to "Blocked channels" and you will see a list of every channel you have blocked.

Find the channel you want to unblock and tap the X next to it. The channel will when ready return to your recommendations and search results. You can unblock channels one at a time whenever you change your mind.

Blocking channels versus hiding channels from your subscriptions

YouTube has two separate features that can seem similar but work differently. Blocking removes a channel from your recommendations and search. Hiding removes a channel from your subscriptions list without blocking it — their videos can still appear in your recommendations if YouTube thinks you will like them.

To hide a channel from your subscriptions without blocking it, go to your Subscriptions tab, find the channel, tap the three dots next to it, and select "Hide from subscriptions". The channel stays on YouTube and their videos can still be recommended to you, but they no longer clutter your subscriptions list.

If you want to completely remove a channel from your experience, blocking is stronger than hiding. But if you just want a cleaner subscriptions list and do not mind seeing their videos occasionally in recommendations, hiding is the lighter option.

Why YouTube might recommend a blocked channel anyway

Sometimes a blocked channel's video appears in your recommendations or search results even after you have blocked them. This usually happens because YouTube's system takes time to process the block, or because the video is being recommended based on other factors like trending topics or your watch history.

If you see a blocked channel's video, you can block them again. Each time you block a channel, YouTube strengthens the filter. If a channel keeps appearing after multiple blocks, try reporting them instead if their content violates community guidelines.

You can also clear your watch history and search history to reset your recommendations. Go to Settings, select "Privacy", and choose "Clear watch history" or "Clear search history". This removes the data YouTube uses to recommend videos, which can help if you are seeing unwanted content repeatedly.

Blocking channels on YouTube's website versus the app

The process is slightly different on YouTube's website. Open any video from the channel you want to block, click the three dots next to the video title, and select "Don't recommend channel". The effect is the same as blocking on the app — the channel disappears from your recommendations and search.

Your blocked channels list syncs across the YouTube app and the website. If you block a channel on your phone, it stays blocked when you use YouTube on a computer, and vice versa. This is because your blocks are tied to your Google account, not to a specific device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a blocked channel see that I blocked them?

No. Blocking is completely private. The channel creator has no way to know you blocked them. YouTube does not notify creators when someone blocks their channel, and the block does not affect their view counts or analytics.

If I block a channel, will they still be able to comment on my videos?

Yes. Blocking a channel does not prevent them from commenting on your videos or interacting with your content. If you want to prevent a specific person from commenting, you need to block that individual user, not their channel. You can also moderate comments on your own videos through your channel settings.

What is the difference between blocking a channel and unsubscribing?

Unsubscribing removes a channel from your subscriptions list, but YouTube can still recommend their videos to you. Blocking removes them from recommendations and search results entirely. If you unsubscribe but do not block, you might still see their videos in your home feed if YouTube thinks you will like them.

Can I block multiple channels at once?

No. YouTube requires you to block channels one at a time. There is no bulk-blocking feature. If you want to block many channels, you will need to go through each one individually using the three-dot menu.

Does blocking a channel delete their videos from YouTube?

No. Blocking only hides their content from your personal recommendations and search results. The videos remain on YouTube and other people can still watch them. Only your own feed changes.