What blocking does on YouTube
Blocking on YouTube means hiding content you don't want to see — either from specific channels, specific videos, or ads from certain advertisers. When you block a channel, its videos stop appearing in your recommendations and search results. When you block an ad, that advertiser's ads stop showing up on videos you watch. YouTube keeps a list of what you've blocked and removes it from your feed automatically.
Blocking is different from unsubscribing. When you unsubscribe from a channel, you just stop getting notifications about new uploads — the channel's videos can still show up in recommendations. Blocking removes them entirely from what YouTube shows you.
Key Takeaways
- Block a channel by clicking the three-dot menu next to its name and selecting "Don't recommend channel" — this hides all its videos from your recommendations and search.
- Block a specific video the same way: three-dot menu, then "Don't recommend this video" — useful when one video keeps appearing but you want to see other content from that channel.
- Block ads from a specific advertiser by clicking the X or three-dot menu on the ad itself and selecting the block option — that advertiser's ads won't show on videos you watch.
- You can view and unblock anything you've blocked by going to your YouTube settings under "Notifications" or "Privacy" depending on what you blocked.
How to block a YouTube channel
Open YouTube and find a video from the channel you want to block. Next to the channel name, click the three-dot menu icon (it looks like three vertical dots). A dropdown menu appears. Select "Don't recommend channel." YouTube will when ready stop showing that channel's videos in your recommendations, search results, and suggested videos on the side of the screen.
You can also block a channel from its main page. Go to the channel, click the three-dot menu icon near the channel name (usually in the upper right), and select "Don't recommend channel." The result is the same — that channel disappears from what YouTube suggests to you.
If you change your mind later, you can unblock the channel. Go to your YouTube settings, select "Notifications" or "Privacy" (the exact location varies by device), find the list of blocked channels, and click the X next to the channel name to unblock it.
How to block a single video
Sometimes you want to hide one specific video without blocking the entire channel. Click the three-dot menu next to the video title or thumbnail and select "Don't recommend this video." That video won't appear in your recommendations or search results, but other videos from the same channel will still show up normally.
This is useful when a channel uploads mostly content you like, but occasionally posts something you'd rather not see. Blocking the video keeps your feed clean without losing access to the channel's other content.
How to block ads from specific advertisers
When an ad plays before or during a video, you can block that advertiser. Click the X button in the top left corner of the ad, or click the three-dot menu icon on the ad itself. A menu appears with options including "Stop seeing this ad" or "Block this advertiser." Select the block option. That advertiser's ads will stop showing on videos you watch.
Blocking an advertiser is different from skipping an ad. Skipping just stops that one ad from playing — the same advertiser's ads can still appear later. Blocking removes all ads from that company from your YouTube experience.
Where to find and manage your blocked content
On a computer, go to YouTube.com, click your profile picture in the top right corner, and select "Settings." Click "Notifications" or "Privacy" depending on what you blocked. You'll see lists of blocked channels and blocked advertisers. Click the X next to any item to unblock it.
On a phone or tablet, open the YouTube app, tap your profile picture, select "Settings," then "Notifications" or "Privacy." The blocked content list works the same way — tap the X to unblock anything.
YouTube stores your blocked list indefinitely. You can add to it or remove from it anytime, and your choices sync across all devices where you're signed into your account.
What happens when you block something
When you block a channel, YouTube stops recommending its videos to you, but the channel still exists and other people can watch it normally. Blocking is private — the channel owner doesn't get notified that you blocked them. The channel can't see your block, and you can't see their videos unless you unblock them.
The same applies to blocked videos and advertisers. Your blocks are personal to your account. If someone else uses your device with their own YouTube account, they'll see different blocked content based on their own choices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the channel owner see that I blocked them?
No. YouTube doesn't notify channels when you block them, and the channel has no way to see your block. Blocking is completely private to your account.
If I block a channel, will its videos stop appearing in my subscriptions feed?
If you're subscribed to a channel and then block it, the subscription remains but the videos won't show in your feed. You can unblock the channel to see new uploads again, or unsubscribe separately if you want to remove the subscription entirely.
Can I block multiple channels at once?
No, you have to block channels one at a time through the three-dot menu. There's no bulk-block feature on YouTube.
What if I accidentally block something?
Go to your YouTube settings under "Notifications" or "Privacy," find the blocked item in the list, and click the X next to it to unblock. Your blocked list is straightforward to edit anytime.
Does blocking a channel also block comments from that channel?
No. Blocking a channel only hides its videos from your recommendations and search. Comments from blocked channels can still appear on other videos. If you want to hide comments from someone, you need to use YouTube's comment-blocking feature separately.