What blocking a video actually does
Blocking a video on YouTube stops that specific video from appearing in your recommendations, search results, and the home feed. It does not delete the video or prevent other people from watching it — it only changes what you see when you are logged into your account.
YouTube calls this feature "Don't recommend channel" when you block from a channel page, and the effect is the same: future recommendations from that creator stop showing up for you. The video itself stays on the platform and remains public to everyone else.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking a video removes it from your recommendations and home feed, but only for your account.
- You can block individual videos, entire channels, or specific types of content through YouTube's menu options.
- Blocked videos still exist and other people can still find and watch them — blocking only affects what you see.
- YouTube also offers a restricted mode that filters mature content across your entire account if you want broader control.
How to block a single video
Open the video you want to block and look for the three vertical dots (the menu icon) in the top right corner of the video player or next to the video title. Click those dots and select "Don't recommend channel" from the menu that appears.
On mobile, the three dots appear in the same location — top right of the video. Tap them and choose "Don't recommend channel." After you do this, YouTube will stop showing videos from that creator in your recommendations, though the channel itself remains public and searchable.
If you want to block just one video without blocking the entire channel, you can also use the "Not interested" option from the same menu. This tells YouTube's algorithm that you did not want to see that particular video, and it may reduce similar recommendations without blocking the whole channel.
How to block an entire channel
Go to the channel's main page by clicking the creator's name or profile picture. In the top right area of the channel header, you will see a "Subscribe" button or, if you are already subscribed, an "Unsubscribe" button. Next to that button is a flag icon or three vertical dots — click it.
Select "Block user" or "Don't recommend channel" from the menu. YouTube will then remove all videos from that channel from your recommendations and home feed. You can still search for the channel by name if you change your mind later, but it will not appear automatically.
To unblock a channel, go back to that channel page and select "Unblock user" from the same menu. Your recommendation feed will return to normal for that creator's content.
Using YouTube's restricted mode for broader filtering
Restricted mode is a setting that filters out mature content across your entire YouTube account, not just individual videos or channels. It is useful if you share a device with children or want YouTube to avoid recommending adult-oriented videos.
To turn on restricted mode, scroll to the bottom of any YouTube page and look for your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Click it and select "Restricted Mode." Toggle the switch to "On." YouTube will then filter recommendations, search results, and comments across your whole account.
Restricted mode is not perfect — some mature content may still appear, and some videos may be filtered that do not need to be. It is a filter, not a lock. If you want to prevent someone else from turning it off, you can enable it through your Google account settings with a password, though this requires additional setup in your Google account security options.
What happens when you block content
When you block a video or channel, YouTube's algorithm learns your preference and adjusts what it shows you next time you visit. You will see fewer recommendations similar to the blocked content, and the blocked channel will not appear in your "Recommended for you" section.
The blocked video or channel does not disappear from YouTube entirely. If someone sends you a direct link to a blocked video, you can still click it and watch it. Blocking only affects automatic recommendations and search prominence in your own account — it does not hide the content from the rest of the internet.
You can block as many videos and channels as you want. There is no limit to how many you can block, and each block makes YouTube's recommendations more tailored to what you actually want to see.
Unblocking videos and channels
To unblock a channel, visit that channel's page and click the flag icon or three dots menu. Select "Unblock user" or "Undo" depending on your device. The channel will return to your recommendation feed.
If you blocked a video using "Not interested," that action is harder to undo directly — YouTube does not show a list of videos you marked as "Not interested." The best way to see that video again is to search for it by name or ask someone to send you the link.
You can also manage your blocked channels through your YouTube settings. Go to your account settings, find "Blocked users" or "Privacy," and you will see a list of channels you have blocked. From there you can unblock any of them with one click.
Why you might want to block content
People block videos and channels for different reasons. You might block a creator whose content you find annoying, a channel that keeps recommending videos you do not want to see, or content that is not appropriate for your household.
Blocking is also useful if you want to avoid spoilers for a show or game — blocking a channel that posts spoiler content keeps those videos out of your feed while you catch up. It is a gentler option than unsubscribing, since you can unblock the channel later without losing your subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the creator see that I blocked them?
No. YouTube does not notify creators when you block their channel or mark their videos as "Not interested." Blocking is private to your account. The creator will not know you blocked them unless you tell them.
If I block a channel, will they still be able to see my comments?
Yes. Blocking only affects what you see — it does not hide your account or comments from the blocked creator. If you want to prevent someone from seeing your activity, you need to delete your comments or adjust your privacy settings separately.
Does blocking a video remove it from my watch history?
No. Blocking a video only stops it from appearing in recommendations. It stays in your watch history. If you want to remove it from your history, you can delete individual videos from your watch history page in your account settings.
What is the difference between blocking and unsubscribing?
Unsubscribing removes a channel from your subscriptions list, but YouTube may still recommend their videos. Blocking removes them from recommendations entirely. You can unsubscribe without blocking, or block without unsubscribing — they are separate actions.
Can I block videos by topic instead of by channel?
Not directly. YouTube does not have a feature to block all videos about a specific topic. You can only block individual videos or entire channels. If you want to avoid a topic, you can block multiple channels that cover it, or use restricted mode to filter mature content broadly.