How to block keywords on YouTube

YouTube does not let viewers block words or topics. TubeBlock, a free browser extension, adds a keyword filter: type a word once and every video with it in the title or channel name disappears from search, Home, Up next and Subscriptions.

Get TubeBlockTry the demo
Zoomed YouTube-like Up next column (test feed): the word prank in a video title is ringed in red, with a TubeBlock badge below it that says Block every video with this word

Demo feed: type a word to hide matching videos

Made-up channels and videos. This is a live preview of how TubeBlock behaves on YouTube.

Try:

Showing all 3 items. Nothing is hidden yet.

13:09

SPOILER review: that ending explained

Plot Twist Pals

410K views · 1 day ago

19:44

Ultimate prank compilation 2026 (try not to laugh)

Gotcha Gremlins

6.2M views · 1 month ago

31:20

Reaction: the worst movie of the year

Reactorama TV

2.4M views · 6 days ago

What YouTube offers built-in

Can you block keywords on YouTube? Not as a viewer. YouTube has no setting that hides videos containing a word, and the tools that sound similar do something else:

  • The minus sign in search. You can try a search like cooking -asmr. YouTube does not reliably honour it, and it only affects that one search, not Home or Up next.
  • Not interested and Don't recommend channel. They give feedback on one video or one channel at a time. They do not take a word, so a topic keeps coming back from new channels.
  • Blocked words in YouTube Studio. This is for creators and filters comments on their own channel. It has no effect on the videos you see.

Supervised accounts let parents pick a content level and block specific channels, but not words. So if you want to block words, topics or tags, you need an extension.

How to do it with TubeBlock

  1. 1

    Install the extension

    The extension is coming soon for Chrome, Edge, Brave and Opera. Visit the install page for release information.

    Get TubeBlock
    Zoomed TubeBlock popup on a test feed; a red arrow points at the On switch in its top right corner
    The TubeBlock popup after installing: the switch at the top shows it is on.
  2. 2

    Add a word

    Click the TubeBlock icon in the toolbar, type a word or a short phrase and add it. Videos whose title or channel name contains it vanish from the open YouTube tab.

    Zoomed TubeBlock popup; a red arrow points at the Hide videos with a word field with the word spoiler typed in
    Type a word in the popup and press the plus button.
  3. 3

    Fine-tune the list

    In TubeBlock's settings you see every keyword. Turn on whole word for short words, remove ones you no longer need, or export the list to a file and import it on another computer.

    Zoomed TubeBlock settings, keyword list; a red arrow points at the Whole word checkbox next to a keyword
    Every keyword has its own Whole word option and a Remove button.

How matching works

A keyword is checked against each video's title and its channel name. By default it matches anywhere inside a word: "prank" also hides "Pranksters vs. security cameras". With whole word turned on, it only matches the word on its own, so "cat" hides "My cat is weird" but not "Top category picks". Try both in the demo above with "prank" and "spoiler".

Pick words that describe what you want gone rather than very common words. One word per entry keeps the list easy to manage; phrases like "full movie" work too.

What gets hidden where

Place on YouTubeVideos matching a keyword
Search resultsHidden
Home feedHidden
Up next sidebarHidden
Subscriptions feedHidden
Shorts shelvesMatching Shorts are hidden
Video descriptions, tags and commentsNot checked: only title and channel name

YouTube built-in vs TubeBlock

What you wantYouTube built-inTubeBlock
Hide videos with a word in the titleNoYes
Match channel namesNoYes
Whole-word matchingNoYes, per keyword
Applies to every search automaticallyMinus sign, one search, not reliableYes
Filter comments on your own channelBlocked words in YouTube StudioNo
Works in the YouTube appNo keyword filter thereNo, desktop browser only

Limitations

  • Only titles and channel names are checked. A video about a topic with a neutral title stays visible; block the channel instead.
  • Very short keywords can hide more than you expect. Use whole word, or a longer phrase.
  • Your keyword list is stored in this browser and is never sent to us.

FAQ

Can you block keywords on YouTube?

Not with YouTube's own settings: viewers have no keyword filter. With TubeBlock in a desktop browser you can block any word, and matching videos are hidden across youtube.com.

How do I block keywords in YouTube search?

Add the word to TubeBlock once. From then on, search results with that word in the title or channel name are hidden in every search, without typing anything extra.

Can I block topics on YouTube?

Yes, by blocking the words that describe the topic, for example the name of a game or show. Add a few related words for better coverage, and block channels that only cover that topic.

How do I block keywords on the YouTube app?

There is no way to do it in the YouTube apps for iPhone, iPad or Android, and TubeBlock does not run there. The filter works on youtube.com in Chrome, Edge, Brave or Opera on a computer.

What does whole word do?

It makes a keyword match only as a separate word. Without it, "art" would also hide "start" and "party"; with it, only titles with "art" on its own are hidden.

Last updated

Clean up your YouTube feed

TubeBlock is free, needs no account and keeps your lists in your browser. It works in Chrome, Edge, Brave and Opera on a computer.

Get TubeBlock

See also