How to Block Channels on YouTube?

How to Block Channels on YouTube & Blocking Comments from Unwanted Channels

ByTB-Team

YouTube is an incredible platform. It’s the hub for tutorials, music videos, funny cat clips, and so much more. But let’s be honest, not every channel on YouTube deserves a spot in your feed. Whether it’s spammy content, inappropriate channels, or just videos that don’t match your interests, blocking channels on YouTube can help you take control of what you see.

If you’re tired of having your recommendations flooded with irrelevant content, you’re in the right place. Let me show you how to block those unwanted YouTube channels, step by step. By the end of this guide, you’ll feel like you’ve reclaimed your YouTube experience.

Why Block Channels on YouTube?

Before we get into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” Why would anyone want to block channels on YouTube? There are several good reasons:

  • Content Control: You might be trying to create a more curated viewing experience for yourself, avoiding topics that don’t interest you.
  • Protecting Younger Viewers: Parents often block channels to ensure that their kids are watching age-appropriate content.
  • Avoiding Spam or Offensive Material: No one wants to keep seeing spammy, irrelevant, or offensive videos on their homepage.

Blocking gives you more control, allowing you to fine-tune the content that appears in your feed, recommendations, and search results.

How YouTube’s Algorithm Affects Your Recommendations

YouTube’s algorithm plays a huge role in what you see on your homepage. It considers your viewing history, liked videos, subscribed channels, and more. But sometimes, despite your best efforts, the algorithm serves up channels you’d rather not see. Why?

It’s because YouTube takes every click, view, and even scroll as a sign of interest. If you accidentally click on a video from a channel you don’t like, YouTube assumes you want to see more content from that creator.

Luckily, blocking channels can help you reset this experience by preventing specific channels from showing up in your feed again.

How to Block Channels on YouTube: Desktop

Blocking a channel on YouTube from your desktop is simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step-by-Step Guide to Blocking Channels on Desktop:

  • Sign in to your YouTube account: Make sure you’re logged into the account where you want to block the channel.
  • Go to the channel you want to block: You can either search for the channel or find it in your recommendations or comments.
  • Navigate to the ‘About’ section: Once on the channel page, click on the “About” tab located at the top of the page.
  • Click the Flag Icon: In the bottom-right corner, you’ll see a flag icon. Click it.
  • Select ‘Block User’: From the drop-down menu, select “Block User.”
  • Confirm Your Action: A pop-up will appear asking you to confirm that you want to block the channel. Click “Submit.”

That’s it! The channel will no longer be able to comment on your videos, and their content will disappear from your feed.

How to Block Channels on YouTube: Mobile Devices (iOS & Android)

Blocking channels from your mobile device is just as easy as on desktop. Whether you’re using an iPhone or Android, the steps are almost identical. Here’s how to block a YouTube channel on mobile:

Step-by-Step Guide for Mobile Devices:

  • Open the YouTube App: Make sure you’re signed in.
  • Search for the Channel: Find the channel you want to block either by searching for it or tapping on its name from a video you’ve seen.
  • Tap the Three Dots (Menu) Icon: Located in the top-right corner of the channel’s page.
  • Select ‘Block User’: A menu will pop up, allowing you to block the user. Confirm when prompted.

Blocking channels on mobile ensures that you can manage your content preferences even when you’re on the go.

Blocking Channels Without Logging In

Wondering if you can block channels without being logged into YouTube? The short answer is no. To fully manage your content preferences, such as blocking channels, you need to be logged into a YouTube account. However, you can still manage recommendations without blocking. Simply click on the three dots next to a video in your feed and select “Not Interested” or “Don’t Recommend Channel.”

This method helps influence YouTube’s algorithm, even if you’re not logged in.

Blocking Channels in YouTube Kids

YouTube Kids is a godsend for parents, but even within the YouTube Kids app, there may be content you want to filter out. Luckily, YouTube gives parents control over what their children can view. Here’s how to block channels on YouTube Kids:

  • Open the YouTube Kids App: Sign in using the parent account.
  • Go to the Channel or Video: Find the content you want to block.
  • Tap the Three Dots Icon: This icon is next to the video or channel name.
  • Select ‘Block’: Confirm the action by entering the parent verification code.

By doing this, you ensure that your child won’t encounter content from the blocked channel anymore.

Using Third-Party Extensions to Block Channels

If YouTube’s built-in blocking tools aren’t cutting it for you, or if you want more granular control, third-party browser extensions can help.

Best Extensions to Block YouTube Channels:

  • Video Blocker: This Chrome extension allows you to block specific channels or even keywords so that any related content won’t appear in your recommendations or search results.
  • BlockTube: Another Chrome extension that takes blocking to the next level, letting you filter videos based on title, description, or even categories.

Extensions like these give you a bit more customization, especially if you find yourself battling with the algorithm.

Blocking Comments from Unwanted Channels

If you’re looking to block someone from commenting on your videos without blocking their entire channel, YouTube has tools for that too. Here’s how to filter comments from channels you don’t like:

  • Go to YouTube Studio: Sign into your account and access YouTube Studio.
  • Navigate to Settings: On the left side, you’ll see the settings option. Click it.
  • Go to ‘Community’: Here, you can manage blocked users and keywords.
  • Add the Channel to the Block List: Simply enter the name or URL of the channel in the “Hidden Users” section, and they won’t be able to comment on your videos anymore.

This is especially helpful for creators who want to keep their comments section friendly and clean.

How to Report and Mute Channels Instead of Blocking

Sometimes, blocking might feel a little extreme. If a channel’s content is inappropriate or violates YouTube’s community guidelines, reporting is a better option. Reporting a channel triggers YouTube to review their content for violations. You can also mute a channel, meaning you’ll still see their videos, but they won’t be able to comment on your content.

How to Stop YouTube Recommendations from Unwanted Channels

If blocking feels too final, there are softer ways to stop channels from popping up in your recommendations. You can click the three-dot menu next to any video in your feed and select “Don’t Recommend Channel.” This method lets you shape your YouTube recommendations without outright blocking.

What Happens After You Block a Channel?

You might be wondering, “Will the channel know if I block them?” The answer is no, YouTube doesn’t notify channels when you block them. Once blocked, their videos won’t show up in your recommendations or notifications, and they won’t be able to comment on your videos.

Unblocking Channels: A Quick Guide

If you’ve blocked a channel and later decide to give them another chance, unblocking is easy:

  • Go to Settings: Access your YouTube settings by clicking your profile picture.
  • Navigate to ‘Blocked Users’: Under “Privacy,” you’ll see a list of channels you’ve blocked.
  • Unblock the Channel: Simply click “Unblock” next to the channel name.

Conclusion: Taking Control of Your YouTube Experience

Blocking channels on YouTube is an essential tool to shape your content experience. Whether you’re keeping unwanted videos out of your feed, protecting your kids from inappropriate material, or managing your recommendations, blocking is your best friend. By using the methods outlined here, you can ensure that YouTube remains a place for enjoyable, relevant content, curated just for you.

FAQs

Can I block a YouTube channel without an account? No, you need to be logged in to block a channel.

Will the channel know if I block them? No, the channel won’t be notified if you block them.

How can I stop recommendations from certain channels? Use the “Don’t Recommend Channel” option from the video menu.

Can I block channels on YouTube Kids? Yes, parents can block channels through the YouTube Kids app.

How do I unblock a channel? Go to your privacy settings and remove the channel from your blocked list.

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