YouTube Gives Users Full Control Over Shorts

YouTube has rolled out a long-awaited feature that allows users to completely remove Shorts from their feed by setting a zero-minute limit in the app’s time management settings.

The update, which began rolling out widely in mid-April 2026, marks a significant shift in user control. For the first time, users, not just parents managing teen accounts, can fully opt out of the short-form video experience that has dominated the platform in recent years.

The Rise and Pushback Against Shorts

Since launching in 2020, YouTube Shorts has exploded in popularity, generating around 200 billion daily views. Designed to compete with platforms like TikTok, Shorts quickly became a central part of the YouTube ecosystem.

However, that growth has not come without criticism. Many users have complained that Shorts clutter their home feed, encourage endless scrolling, and overshadow the longer videos they actually want to watch.

Previously, options to avoid Shorts were limited. Users could hide the Shorts shelf temporarily on desktop or mark videos as “Not interested,” but these solutions were inconsistent and often short-lived.

How the Zero-Minute Limit Works

The new feature builds on YouTube’s existing time management tools. Initially introduced in late 2025 with a minimum limit of 15 minutes, the Shorts timer has now been expanded to include a zero-minute option for all users.

Setting the limit to zero minutes effectively removes Shorts from your experience. The Shorts tab disappears, recommendations are minimized, and the home feed no longer prioritizes short-form content. Instead, users may see a simple message indicating they’ve reached their Shorts limit.

Step-by-Step: How to Turn Off Shorts

Disabling Shorts is straightforward and works on both Android and iOS devices:

• Open the YouTube app
• Tap your profile picture in the top-right corner and go to Settings
• Select Time management (or navigate via General settings)
• Enable Shorts feed limit
• Set the limit to 0 minutes

Once activated, the change takes effect immediately and can be reversed at any time.

What Still Remains

While the feature significantly reduces Shorts visibility, it does not remove them entirely from the platform.

Shorts from channels you subscribe to may still appear in your Subscriptions feed in some cases. Additionally, individual Shorts can still be accessed via direct links or search results, though they will no longer dominate recommendations.

A Step Toward Digital Wellbeing

This update is being widely seen as a win for user choice and digital wellbeing. For years, users relied on browser extensions or third-party tools to block Shorts. Now, YouTube is offering an official, built-in solution.

The move reflects a broader industry trend toward giving users more control over how they consume content, especially as concerns around screen time and addictive scrolling continue to grow.

Cleaner Feeds, Better Viewing Experience

Early feedback suggests that many users are already noticing a cleaner, less distracting home feed after enabling the zero-minute limit. By removing the constant pull of short-form videos, viewers can refocus on longer content such as tutorials, reviews, and in-depth entertainment.

For anyone frustrated with Shorts taking over their screen, this new feature offers a simple but effective fix, one that puts control back in the hands of the viewer.

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