What "Not Interested" does and how to use it
The "Not Interested" button on YouTube tells the platform you do not want to see videos from a channel or on a topic, without unsubscribing or blocking anyone. When you mark a video not interested, YouTube removes it from your homepage and recommendations, and learns to show you fewer videos like it. The button appears as a three-dot menu on any video thumbnail or in the video player itself.
You do not need an extension to use "Not Interested" — it is built into YouTube. If you are looking for a Chrome extension that makes this feature easier to access or adds related tools, there are a few options, but the native YouTube feature works on its own in any browser, including Chrome.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube's "Not Interested" button is built in and requires no extension; you access it through the three-dot menu on any video.
- Marking videos "Not Interested" removes them from your recommendations and teaches YouTube's algorithm what you do not want to see.
- If you want an extension to add extra filtering or recommendation controls, search the Chrome Web Store for "YouTube recommendation" or "YouTube filter" to see what is available.
- Extensions that modify YouTube's interface may stop working if YouTube changes its code, so check reviews and update dates before installing.
How to use the built-in "Not Interested" button in Chrome
Open YouTube in Chrome and find any video on your homepage, in search results, or in your subscriptions feed. Hover your mouse over the video thumbnail until a three-dot menu appears in the top right corner of the thumbnail. Click those three dots.
A small menu will pop up with options including "Not Interested" and "Don't recommend channel." Click "Not Interested" if you want to hide that specific video. Click "Don't recommend channel" if you want YouTube to stop recommending videos from that creator altogether. Either choice removes the video from your recommendations when ready.
If you are already watching a video in the player, you can also click the three-dot menu button next to the video title (to the right of the share button) and select "Not Interested" from there. The effect is the same.
Why you might want a Chrome extension for YouTube filtering
The built-in "Not Interested" button works well for individual videos, but some people want faster access, bulk filtering, or additional controls. An extension might let you hide entire categories of videos, block specific keywords, or see statistics about what you have marked as not interested. Extensions can also add keyboard shortcuts so you can mark videos without moving your mouse.
Keep in mind that extensions that change how YouTube looks or works depend on YouTube's code staying the same. When YouTube updates its design, an extension may break until the creator updates it. Check the reviews and the last update date before installing any extension.
Finding and installing a YouTube filtering extension
Open Chrome and go to the Chrome Web Store by typing chrome.google.com/webstore into your address bar. In the search box, type "YouTube recommendation" or "YouTube filter" to see what extensions are available. Read the descriptions and reviews to understand what each one does.
Look for extensions with recent update dates (within the last few months) and reviews that mention whether they still work with the current version of YouTube. Some popular options include extensions that let you block channels, hide videos by keyword, or customize your recommendation feed, but the specific names and availability change over time.
Click the extension you want, then click the blue "Add to Chrome" button. Chrome will ask you to confirm that you want to add it. Click "Add extension" and the tool will install. You should see a new icon in your Chrome toolbar, usually near the top right of your browser window.
Controlling what the extension can see and do
When you install an extension, Chrome shows you what information it can access — for example, whether it can see the websites you visit or read the content on the page. For a YouTube filtering extension, it will need to see YouTube pages so it can add buttons or change what you see. This is normal and necessary for the extension to work.
You can control whether an extension runs on all websites or only on YouTube. Click the extension icon in your toolbar, then click the three-dot menu and choose "Manage extension." On that page, you can set it to run only on youtube.com if you want to limit what it can access. You can also remove the extension at any time by clicking "Remove" on the same page.
What happens when you mark videos "Not Interested"
When you mark a video "Not Interested," YouTube removes it from your homepage and recommendations within seconds. The video does not disappear from the channel itself — if you go directly to that creator's channel, you will still see all their videos. "Not Interested" only affects what YouTube shows you in recommendations and your personalized feed.
YouTube also uses your "Not Interested" choices to train its recommendation algorithm. Over time, if you mark many videos about a certain topic as not interested, YouTube will show you fewer videos on that topic. This learning happens in the background and is specific to your account — it does not affect what other people see.
Clearing or undoing "Not Interested" choices
YouTube does not offer a way to undo a single "Not Interested" choice, but you can reset your entire recommendation history. Go to myactivity.google.com, click the three-line menu on the left, and select "YouTube Search" or "YouTube Watch History." You can delete individual items or your entire history from there. Clearing your history will reset your recommendations, though YouTube will start learning your preferences again as you watch.
If you want to see videos from a channel you marked "Don't recommend channel" on, you will need to visit that channel directly. There is no global list of channels you have blocked, so you may need to search for the creator by name to find them again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an extension to use "Not Interested" on YouTube?
No. The "Not Interested" button is built into YouTube and works in Chrome without any extension. You access it through the three-dot menu on any video. Extensions are optional if you want extra features like keyboard shortcuts or bulk filtering.
Will marking a video "Not Interested" unsubscribe me from the channel?
No. "Not Interested" only hides that video from your recommendations. You stay subscribed to the channel and will still see their new uploads in your subscriptions feed. Use "Don't recommend channel" if you want to stop seeing recommendations from that creator while staying subscribed.
Can I see a list of all the videos I marked "Not Interested"?
YouTube does not show you a list of individual videos you marked "Not Interested." You can see your overall watch and search history at myactivity.google.com, but "Not Interested" choices are not listed separately.
What should I look for in a YouTube filtering extension?
Check the update date — extensions updated within the last few months are more likely to work with the current version of YouTube. Read recent reviews to see if users report that it still works. Avoid extensions with very few reviews or no updates in over a year, as they may be abandoned.
If I install an extension, can it see my watch history or personal data?
An extension can only access the information you give it permission to see. When you install it, Chrome tells you what the extension can access. For YouTube filtering extensions, they typically need to see YouTube pages to work, but you can limit them to run only on youtube.com if you want to restrict their access.