youtube / time management / shorts

YouTube has added a setting to limit or effectively disable Shorts by adjusting the Shorts time limit to zero via Settings > Time Management. The change is rolling out unevenly; some users report only seeing limited options and that disabling Shorts this way only stops autoplay swiping after viewing an individual Short rather than removing Shorts from the Home feed. Users on Hacker News note the rollout isn’t global, that the feature may be a response to legal scrutiny over addictive design, and that some prefer it to previous workarounds like browser userscripts. The tweak matters for user control, platform UX, and regulatory pressure on attention-based product design.

YouTube has added a new option in its mobile app to set the Shorts feed timer to zero minutes, effectively hiding Shorts from the Shorts tab and Home screen. The zero-minute setting expands on a Shorts time-management feature first introduced with a 15-minute minimum and later extended to parents; YouTube says it’s now live for parents and rolling out to all users. Once the limit is reached, the app displays a “reached your Shorts feed limit” notice and removes Shorts placements. Users can enable it via Settings > Time management > Shorts feed limit. The change gives users and parents a straightforward way to reduce short-form video consumption and customize the YouTube experience.

YouTube has added a setting that lets users set their Shorts feed time limit to zero minutes, effectively removing Shorts from the Android and iOS apps. The zero-minute option expands on a Shorts timer YouTube introduced previously (lowest option was 15 minutes) and follows a January rollout that added parental controls with a promised "zero minutes" option. YouTube spokesperson Makenzie Spiller says the feature is live for parents and is rolling out to all users. When the limit is reached the Shorts tab and Shorts on the Home screen are hidden, replaced by a notification. Users enable it via Settings > Time management > Shorts feed limit.

YouTube is rolling out a new toggle that lets users disable Shorts in the mobile app and web interface. The change, appearing for some users today, hides the Shorts shelf and removes the Shorts tab so users can avoid short-form vertical videos; the setting can be reversed anytime. This update addresses longstanding creator and viewer frustration with Shorts’ prominence, offering a way to prioritize longer-form content and traditional recommendations. For creators and advertisers, the toggle could affect short-form discovery and engagement metrics if widely adopted. The move signals YouTube responding to user feedback and balancing investment in Shorts with demands for more control over the viewing experience.