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FocusTube: A Chrome extension that hides YouTube Shorts

(github.com)
269 points youz | 3 comments | 23 Oct 25 21:11 UTC | HN request time: 0.642s | source
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nomilk ◴[23 Oct 25 22:40 UTC] No.45688297[source]▶
Add this to your uBlock Origin Lite filter list.

I haven't seen a short since :)

https://github.com/gijsdev/ublock-hide-yt-shorts/blob/master...

How to do it: Click on uBlock Origin Lite extension -> Settings (cog icon) -> Filter lists -> Custom filters -> Import / Export (bottom of page) -> Paste in the list

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Quarrelsome ◴[23 Oct 25 22:44 UTC] No.45688360[source]▶
Speaking of which, what the fuck is wrong with product managers at big tech these days?

When I try to express:

> I don't want to see ANY shorts

instead, I get:

> show me fewer youtube shorts

when I want to say:

> NO

I'm only allowed to say:

> mAyBe LaTeR

Do the people behind these design decisions not realise they're monsters by gagging their users into only being able to express notions that appease them?

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OneDeuxTriSeiGo ◴[23 Oct 25 22:52 UTC] No.45688448[source]▶
This is the point. Youtube mobile has even started opening straight into shorts on occassion rather than opening to the home screen. Intentionally dragging users into shorts ups engagement and watch time. Letting users opt out or avoid shorts is exactly counter to their goals and metrics.
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1. al_borland ◴[23 Oct 25 23:06 UTC] No.45688595[source]▶
From what I can tell, if you close the app while a short is playing, you’ll be dumped back into shorts when opening the app again. I’ve made it a point to always go back to the home tab before closing the app, which seems to avoid the issue.

I assume their goal is to make YouTube feel like TikTok, for those who want that.

Personally, I think there should be a setting so I can pick which page the app opens up to. I’d like it to open up to my Watch Later list, or subscriptions.

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2. OneDeuxTriSeiGo ◴[24 Oct 25 17:10 UTC] No.45696733[source]▶
Agreed. Unfortunately control over the home page is a long fought battle over a decade long with youtube increasingly dis-incentivising subscriptions and long term viewership.
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3. al_borland ◴[24 Oct 25 17:17 UTC] No.45696828[source]▶
This seems like it would be a nice perk for Premium subscribers. Since I pay a flat rate and don't see adds, I would imagine my increased watch time only increases YouTube's cost, while not bringing in any additional revenue. I also read that Premium customers are more profitable than free-tier ad watchers. If this is all true, I would think the priority would be keeping Premium users happy, and providing more incentives to join Premium. Allowing Premium users to configure their home screen seems like an easy win. In keeps existing Premium users happy, gives another compelling reason to sign up, and doesn't really cost them anything... it might even save them money.

Am I missing something about the Premium business model?