How to block YouTube Shorts in 2026 (and measure the impact)
How do I remove Shorts from my YouTube feed?
Use a content-filtering extension that hides the Shorts shelf, the Shorts tab, and Shorts in search and the homepage. FocusScore detects and de-emphasises Shorts automatically while also recording how much of your time they were consuming.
Does blocking Shorts actually improve focus?
Often, but not always — it depends on whether you replace Shorts with intentional viewing or just find a new distraction. That's why measuring matters: a Focus Score shows whether your attention quality genuinely rose after you removed Shorts.
How to measure the impact
Check your average Focus Score for a few days before blocking Shorts, then compare it for the week after. If your deep-focus time goes up and your distraction ratio falls, the change is working.
Frequently asked questions
Use a Chrome extension that hides the Shorts shelf, tab and feed, and disable Shorts in YouTube settings where possible. FocusScore de-emphasises Shorts automatically and tracks how much time they cost you.
Partly — you can avoid the Shorts tab and use a larger screen, but native controls are limited. An extension is the most reliable way to remove Shorts from your feed.
Measure your Focus Score before and after. If deep-focus time rises and your distraction ratio falls, removing Shorts is improving your attention.