YouTube Adds Option to Remove Shorts from Your Feed- YouTube has started rolling out a long-requested feature that gives users more control over short-form content in their feeds. With the latest update, users can now effectively remove Shorts from their browsing experience by setting a dedicated “Shorts feed limit” to zero minutes.
The change marks a notable shift in how the platform handles its short-form video format, which has become one of its most dominant engagement drivers in recent years. While Shorts were designed to compete with TikTok-style content and increase time spent on the platform, many users have complained about endless scrolling, distraction, and reduced control over what appears in their home feed.
Previously, YouTube introduced a “Shorts timer” that allowed users to limit their daily exposure to short-form videos. However, the minimum cap was set at 15 minutes, meaning users could only reduce, not fully eliminate, Shorts content. Once the time limit expired, the app would display reminders prompting users to take a break, but Shorts would still be accessible in other parts of the platform.
With the new update, that limitation has been removed. Users can now select 0 minutes as their daily Shorts feed limit, which essentially disables the dedicated Shorts feed. When activated, the interface may display a message indicating that scrolling has been paused, although individual Shorts may still appear occasionally in search results, shared links, or recommendations embedded elsewhere in the platform.
To enable the feature, users need to open the YouTube mobile app and navigate to the Settings menu. From there, they can access “Time management,” then select “Daily limits.” Inside this section, a new option labeled “Shorts feed limit” allows users to choose their preferred restriction level, including the newly added zero-minute option. After selecting it, users may need to refresh the app for the changes to fully take effect.
The rollout is part of YouTube’s broader effort to introduce digital wellbeing tools and provide users with more personalized control over how they consume content. In recent years, platforms across the social media landscape have faced increasing pressure from regulators, parents, and users to address concerns related to excessive screen time and algorithm-driven scrolling loops.
Interestingly, the update also aligns with YouTube’s earlier integration of parental control features. Parents and guardians using supervised accounts were among the first to receive expanded timer controls, including the ability to restrict Shorts viewing entirely. The company had previously indicated that broader availability of the zero-minute setting for all users was in development—and that rollout is now underway.
Despite the new option, YouTube is not fully removing Shorts from the platform. The format remains deeply integrated into search, recommendations, and creator channels. This means that while the dedicated Shorts feed can be disabled, users may still encounter short-form videos in certain contexts. The change is more about reducing algorithmic exposure rather than completely eliminating the format.
Reactions to the update have been mixed but largely positive among users who prefer longer-form content or want fewer distractions while browsing. Many see it as a practical compromise: allowing those who enjoy Shorts to keep them, while giving others a way to opt out of the infinite-scroll experience that often drives overuse.
For creators, however, the change may introduce new challenges. Shorts have become a major discovery tool, especially for smaller channels trying to reach new audiences quickly. Any reduction in Shorts visibility for some users could potentially impact reach and engagement, although YouTube has not indicated any major changes to how Shorts are recommended overall.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, this update reflects a broader trend toward user-controlled algorithms. Instead of a one-size-fits-all feed, platforms are gradually offering more granular settings that allow individuals to shape their own viewing experience.
Whether this feature becomes widely used or remains a niche tool will depend on how users respond over time. But for now, it gives viewers something they haven’t had before on YouTube: a simple switch to significantly reduce, or even eliminate, the endless stream of short-form videos from their daily scrolling experience.
