This guide covers three approaches: in-product YouTube settings, DIY CSS filters, and the Superpower YouTube extension that disables Shorts and other distractions with a toggle.
Table of contents
Why hide YouTube Shorts?
Shorts are a never-ending feed designed for quick dopamine loops. If you use YouTube for learning or work, hiding Shorts reduces context switching and saves a surprising amount of time.
Method 1: Try YouTube settings
YouTube doesn’t offer a real “disable Shorts” switch. You can mark individual Shorts as “Not interested,” but the feed usually returns.
Method 2: DIY CSS (temporary)
Advanced users inject CSS to hide elements with selectors like #shorts or specific shelf classes. This works until YouTube changes its HTML, which happens often.
Method 3: Use an extension (one-click & reliable)
Superpower YouTube includes a dedicated toggle to hide Shorts everywhere—Home, sidebar, channel pages, and search. It also lets you hide Home Feed, Explore, Playables, Breaking News, thumbnails, comments, disable Autoplay, run 25/5 Focus Sessions, and schedule distraction-free periods.
Try everything free for 7 days (no card required). If you like it, it’s just $1.50/month—or pick yearly or lifetime.
FAQ
Will hiding Shorts break other parts of YouTube?
No—Superpower YouTube targets only Shorts UI blocks. Search, Subscriptions, and video pages work normally.
Can I keep Shorts hidden only during work hours?
Yes. Use Hide during or Hide on in the Settings panel to schedule when distractions are blocked.