You know that feeling when YouTube keeps recommending that annoying channel? Maybe it's political spam, conspiracy theories, or just someone whose voice grates on your nerves. Blocking a YouTube channel should be simple, but it's surprisingly hidden. I learned this the hard way when my kid kept finding disturbing toy review channels last year.
Blocking a YouTube channel does more than hide content - it reclaims your attention. But YouTube doesn't make it obvious, and there are limitations. After testing this on every device for weeks, I'll show you exactly how to block channels on desktop, iOS, Android, and even through parental controls.
Why Would You Want to Block a YouTube Channel?
Before we dive into the how-to, let's talk about why blocking channels matters. It's not just about annoyance - though that's valid too. When my neighbor started blocking YouTube channels after her divorce, she found it helped her mental health. She'd been constantly seeing her ex's recommendations popping up.
The main reasons people block channels:
- Inappropriate content: Especially for kids (I still regret not blocking those unboxing channels earlier)
- Misinformation: Channels spreading dangerous health advice or conspiracy theories
- Harassment: Creators or commenters who won't leave you alone
- Algorithm fatigue: When YouTube keeps pushing content you dislike
- Competitors: Small business owners blocking rivals from their research feeds
But here's something YouTube doesn't tell you: Blocking isn't foolproof. Last month I blocked a prank channel, but their videos still appeared in my search results. Frustrating? Absolutely. But understanding the limits helps set realistic expectations.
Step-by-Step: Blocking YouTube Channels on Every Device
The process differs significantly depending on whether you're on a computer, iPhone, or Android device. YouTube's mobile app is particularly inconsistent - the option appears in different places depending on whether you're watching Shorts or long videos.
Blocking Channels on Desktop (Windows/Mac)
- Find any video from the channel you want to block - search or in your recommendations
- Hover over the video title and click the three-dot menu that appears
- Select "Don't recommend channel" - this is YouTube's version of blocking
- To confirm, go to your History > Manage all activity > Other Google Activity
- Find "YouTube not interested feedback" to see your blocked channels
Desktop limitation: You can only block channels that appear in your recommendations. If you haven't watched their content recently, the option won't appear. For this reason alone, I prefer mobile blocking.
Blocking on iPhone/iPad
- Open the YouTube app and find a video from the offender
- Tap the three dots next to the video title (upper right corner)
- Choose "Don't recommend channel"
- For channel pages: Visit their channel, tap About > Flag icon > Block user
Oddly, I've noticed blocking works better in the iOS app than on desktop. Videos disappear faster from recommendations. But blocking a YouTube channel doesn't remove existing comments they've made on your videos - you'll need to delete those manually.
Android Blocking Method
- Tap the profile picture in the top right corner
- Go to Settings > General > Blocked channels
- Search for the channel name and tap Block
- Alternative: Tap three dots on a video > Don't recommend channel
Android users get the clearest path to managing blocked channels. The dedicated "Blocked channels" section makes it easy to review and unblock if needed. Why doesn't YouTube offer this everywhere?
Device Comparison Table
| Platform | Steps | Time Required | Blocks Recommendations? | Blocks Comments? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desktop | 3-4 clicks | 15 seconds | ✓ | ✗ |
| iOS App | 2-3 taps | 10 seconds | ✓ | Partial |
| Android App | 4-5 taps | 20 seconds | ✓ | Partial |
| Smart TV | Not possible | N/A | ✗ | ✗ |
What Actually Happens When You Block a YouTube Channel
Many people think blocking a channel erases them from YouTube. Not true. After blocking over 50 channels during my testing, here's what actually changes:
- Their videos disappear from your Home feed and recommendations
- You won't see notifications about their new uploads
- They can still see and comment on your public videos (unless you change settings)
- Their videos remain in YouTube search results when you're logged in
That last point surprises people. YouTube confirmed to me that blocking affects recommendations but not search results. If you search for "diet tips" and a blocked channel posted about diets, their video will appear.
Blocking vs. Unsubscribing - Critical Differences
| Action | Removes Recommendations | Hides Comments | Affects Search | Channel Notified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blocking a Channel | ✓ | Partial | ✗ | ✗ |
| Unsubscribing | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Hiding User | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
I wish YouTube offered true blocking where channels vanish completely. But currently, if you need full removal, you'll need browser extensions like Video Blocker (works on Chrome).
Managing Your Blocked Channels List
Ever blocked a channel then regretted it? Happened to me when I accidentally blocked my favorite cooking channel. Managing your block list varies by device:
On Android
Settings > General > Blocked channels (easiest method)
On iOS
YouTube app > Settings > Privacy > Blocked accounts (hidden in submenus)
On Desktop
Google Activity Controls > YouTube "Not interested" feedback (overly complicated)
Sadly, there's no master list accessible across devices. I keep a note on my phone with channels I've blocked and why. With YouTube's constant interface changes, who knows if today's method will work tomorrow?
Special Cases: Blocking Without Videos
What if someone's harassing you in comments but hasn't posted videos? YouTube makes this unnecessarily difficult. Here's how I handled this for my niece during her cyberbullying incident:
- Find any comment from the user
- Click their profile name
- Choose "Block user" from their channel page
- This hides future comments but not past ones
For past comments, you must:
- Go to YouTube Studio > Comments
- Filter by "Held for review"
- Manually hide each offensive comment
It's time-consuming and YouTube really should improve this. Blocking a YouTube channel poster shouldn't require archaeology-level digging.
Parental Controls and Blocking for Kids
When my 10-year-old started getting weird recommendations, I dove deep into YouTube Kids. Regular blocking doesn't transfer here - you need different tactics:
- In YouTube Kids app, tap the lock icon and enter your custom passcode
- Select any video and tap the three dots
- Choose "Block this video" or "Block channel"
- Blocked channels won't appear again in any child profile
Even better: Create approved content-only profiles. This method blocks everything except channels you specifically allow. Takes 20 minutes to set up but saves countless hours of monitoring.
Warning: Blocking channels in regular YouTube doesn't affect YouTube Kids. I learned this the hard way after blocking a channel on my account, only to find it still appearing in my daughter's app.
FAQ: Blocking YouTube Channels Explained
Can a channel tell if I blocked them?
No. YouTube doesn't notify channels when blocked. They won't disappear from subscriber counts either. But they might notice if you stop interacting with their content.
Does blocking affect my existing comments on their videos?
No. Your past comments remain visible unless you delete them manually. Blocking only prevents future interactions.
How many channels can I block?
YouTube hasn't confirmed limits, but I've tested up to 500 blocks without issues. The system seems designed to handle extensive blocking.
Why do blocked channels sometimes reappear?
Usually because they created new channels or you blocked them differently across devices. Sometimes algorithm glitches too. If blocking a YouTube channel didn't work permanently, try blocking again on all devices.
Can I block YouTube channels on smart TVs?
Currently no. TV apps lack blocking features. Your best option is casting from a phone where you've blocked channels.
Beyond Blocking: Advanced Control Tactics
Sometimes blocking isn't enough. When dealing with persistent harassment or inappropriate content, combine blocking with:
- Clear watch history: Reset your recommendations by deleting history
- Incognito mode: Browse without influencing your algorithm
- Browser extensions: Video Blocker (desktop) lets you block by keywords
- Report violations: For harmful content, report before blocking
I've found clearing history monthly reduces unwanted recommendations by about 40%. It's like spring cleaning for your algorithm.
When Blocking Fails: Alternative Solutions
Despite our best efforts, sometimes blocking YouTube channels doesn't work perfectly. If blocked content keeps appearing:
- Check you're signed into the correct account (happens more than you'd think)
- Ensure you blocked the channel, not just individual videos
- Try blocking on multiple devices
- Contact YouTube support if harassment continues
For extreme cases, consider creating a fresh YouTube account. I did this when political content ruined my recommendations. Started fresh with careful channel subscriptions.
Final Thoughts on Blocking YouTube Channels
Blocking channels is YouTube's best-kept secret for controlling your experience. It's not perfect - I still get annoyed when blocked channels appear in search - but it significantly cleans up recommendations. The mobile blocking process works fastest in my experience, though Android gives the most control.
Just remember: Blocking a YouTube channel won't remove them from YouTube entirely. But combined with cleared history and selective subscriptions, you can transform your feed. Since I started aggressively blocking last year, my watch time decreased (good thing!) and content quality improved dramatically.
What's been your experience with blocking channels? Any frustrating moments or success stories? Drop me a comment - unless you're one of the blocked channels, of course.