A developer has created and shared a uBlock Origin filter list that completely removes YouTube Shorts from the YouTube interface, and the project has gone viral among power users frustrated with the platform's push into short-form video content.
The filter list, available on GitHub at github.com/i5heu/ublock-hide-yt-shorts, has garnered over 800 upvotes on Hacker News and sparked a discussion with more than 250 comments from users sharing their experiences with the tool.
YouTube Shorts, launched as Google's response to TikTok, has been controversial among long-time YouTube users who find the feature intrusive and distracting. The shorts appear prominently in search results, the home feed, and even have their own dedicated shelf on the platform.
The uBlock filter list works by targeting the CSS selectors and DOM elements that display Shorts content, effectively rendering them invisible to users who have the filter installed. This approach is more comprehensive than YouTube's own settings, which only partially limit Shorts visibility.
"I just want to watch regular videos without being bombarded by 15-second clips," one commenter noted. "This filter list has made YouTube usable again for me."
The popularity of the tool highlights a growing sentiment among power users who feel that major platforms are prioritizing engagement metrics over user experience. Similar tools have emerged for other platforms, including extensions that modify or remove algorithmic feeds.
The project is open-source, allowing users to inspect the filter rules and contribute improvements. It requires uBlock Origin, a popular ad-blocking browser extension, to function.
As platforms continue to push new features designed to increase engagement, tools like this filter list represent a form of user agency—allowing individuals to customize their experience rather than accepting platform defaults.