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How to avoid Facebook distractions with a feed and Reels remover
Short answer: install the free Undistracted (hide Facebook, YouTube feeds) extension from the Chrome Web Store in Chrome or Brave, open it from the extensions menu, select Facebook and turn on Hide feed. You can also hide likes, the chat sidebar, stories and Marketplace. The feed disappears, but you can still use the parts of Facebook you need, like Marketplace for selling things.
Facebook keeps showing you pages you do not even follow because it wants to keep you busy watching advertising and endless content. Here is how I get rid of all that very easily.
If you are searching for how to remove the Facebook news feed, how to hide Facebook Reels and stories, or how to use Facebook for Marketplace without the endless scrolling, a browser extension is the quickest fix. The free Undistracted extension hides the parts of Facebook that waste your time while leaving the useful parts, like Marketplace and your messages, in place.
I use Facebook for business, mainly to sell things on Marketplace, so I do not want to block it completely. I only want to stop the feed from pulling me in. This article walks through the same steps as the video, explains what each switch in the extension does, and adds tips for staying focused, checking that the extension is working, and fixing it when it does not. It works on a computer in Chrome or Brave, and the same extension can also clean up YouTube, which I cover in a separate video.
Step 1: Get the extension from the Chrome Web Store
Open Google, or whatever search engine you like, and type Chrome Web Store. Click the first link. In the search bar of the store, type:
undistracted hide Facebook YouTube feeds
Open it and click the add button. In Chrome it says Add to Chrome; in my case it says Add to Brave. I also leave the direct link in the video description so you can skip the search.
- Use the official store. The Chrome Web Store is where Chrome extensions are listed, and Brave can install them from there too.
- Search for the exact name shown in the video: "undistracted hide Facebook YouTube feeds". Check that the listing has the same name before you install anything.
- Review the permissions. Extensions can read or change the pages they run on. This one is meant for sites like Facebook and YouTube, so read what it asks for and install it only if you are comfortable.
Chrome or Brave? Both work
The extension works the same in Chrome. I prefer Brave (brave.com). It is based on Chrome and, in my experience, it works much better, so that is what I recommend if you have to install a browser. Chrome extensions like this one install in Brave the same way.
Step 2: Open the extension
After installing, the extension does not show up at the top by default. Click the Extensions icon at the top right of the browser and you will see Undistracted in the list. Click it and you will see the circle icon that says Undistracted. That is your control panel. You can pin it so it is always visible.
- Pin it for one-click access. Click the puzzle-piece Extensions icon at the top right of the browser and use the pin icon next to Undistracted to keep it visible in the toolbar.
- If it does not appear, restart the browser once after installing and check the Extensions page to make sure it is enabled.
Step 3: Choose what to hide on Facebook
Inside the extension you can control Twitter, Reddit, Facebook, YouTube and more with the same tool. Select Facebook. You could block Facebook completely, but I use it for business, especially Facebook Marketplace to sell things, so I only hide what distracts me. These are the options:
- Hide feed: the endless news feed is gone the moment you turn it on.
- Force redirect to friends feed: enable or disable it, your choice.
- Hide likes.
- Hide chat sidebar.
- Hide Marketplace: I leave this off because I want Marketplace.
- Hide stories.
With these turned on, Facebook is almost empty, and that is exactly the idea.
- Start with the feed. Turning on Hide feed removes the endless scroll right away. Reload the Facebook page if you do not see the change.
- Hide stories, likes and the chat sidebar if they also pull you in. Leave Marketplace visible if you buy or sell.
- Change the settings any time. If you need to see the feed for a reason, turn the switch off, and turn it on again afterward.
Facebook still works for what you need
Removing the feed does not break Facebook. Let's say you want to buy something: you can still go to Marketplace and see all the listings and everything you need. You just do not get the endless scroll of content and advertising that Facebook uses to keep you there.
Keep learning
YouTube usually will not recommend my videos, so if you want to keep learning, go to the Gabak USA channel, open the Playlists tab, and you will see all my classes organized there. The same Undistracted extension also cleans up YouTube, which I show in another video.
What each Undistracted option does
| Option | What it does | Who should use it |
|---|---|---|
| Hide feed | Removes the endless news feed | Anyone who loses time scrolling |
| Force redirect to friends feed | Sends you to the friends feed instead | People who want to see friends only; optional |
| Hide likes | Hides like counts | If numbers distract you |
| Hide chat sidebar | Hides the contacts list on the right | People who get pulled into chats |
| Hide Marketplace | Hides the Marketplace link | Leave it off if you buy or sell |
| Hide stories | Removes the stories bar | Anyone who clicks stories without thinking |
The extension uses the same idea for other sites such as Twitter, Reddit and YouTube, so you only learn one tool.
Why Facebook feels so hard to put down
The feed is designed to keep you looking at it. Posts from pages you do not follow, short videos and endless scrolling keep showing new things, and the more time you spend, the more ads you see. In the video, I point out posts from pages I do not even follow. Hiding the feed does not make Facebook useless; it removes the part designed to keep you engaged.
Marketplace and messages keep working
Removing the feed does not break Facebook. You can still open Marketplace and see listings, answer buyers and sellers, and use Messenger. That is why this setup is good for small businesses and sellers: you get the tools without the time sink. If you sell online, it also helps to check messages on a schedule instead of scrolling every time you open the site.
Chrome or Brave?
The extension works the same in Chrome. I prefer Brave, which is based on Chrome, and I find it works better. Brave can install extensions from the Chrome Web Store, so the steps are the same. Choose whichever browser you already use, and install the extension on every browser where you log in to Facebook, since extensions are installed per browser.
Tips to stay off the feed
- Log in on a computer with the extension on, and avoid the Facebook app on your phone if you do not want the feed there.
- Turn off non-essential notifications so Facebook does not call you back.
- Schedule short, specific visits: answer Marketplace messages, then close the tab.
- If you really need a break, log out instead of just closing the page.
- Use the same approach on YouTube; see how to remove YouTube distractions with the same extension.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| The feed is still visible | Page not reloaded, or switch off | Reload the page and check that Hide feed is on |
| Extension icon is missing | Not pinned | Open the Extensions menu and pin it |
| It stopped working after a Facebook update | Facebook changed its page layout | Update the extension or check the store page for a new version |
| Marketplace disappeared | Hide Marketplace turned on | Turn that switch off |
| Works in one browser only | Extensions are per browser | Install it in each browser you use |
Other ways to cut distractions
Extensions are only one part of the answer. You can also mute or unfollow pages in Facebook's own settings, use the browser's built-in site limits if it has them, or move the apps that distract you off your phone's home screen. If you are looking for a calmer computer in general, see how to disable Windows efficiency mode forever and how to block spammers in a WhatsApp group.
Frequently asked questions
How do I remove the Facebook news feed?
Install the Undistracted (hide Facebook, YouTube feeds) extension, open it, select Facebook and turn on Hide feed.
Can I hide Facebook Reels and stories?
Yes. The extension has options to hide stories, likes and the chat sidebar, so Facebook ends up almost empty.
Can I still use Facebook Marketplace?
Yes. Leave the Hide Marketplace option off and Marketplace keeps working normally.
Does it work in Brave?
Yes. Brave is based on Chrome, and you can add the extension from the Chrome Web Store. That is the browser I use in the video.
How do I remove the Facebook news feed?
Install the free Undistracted extension in Chrome or Brave, open it from the Extensions menu, choose Facebook and turn on Hide feed.
Can I hide Facebook Reels and stories?
You can hide the feed and stories with the extension. The options are listed on the Facebook page of the extension.
Can I still use Facebook Marketplace after hiding the feed?
Yes. Leave the Hide Marketplace switch off and you can still browse listings, sell items and read messages.
Does Undistracted work in Brave?
Yes. Brave is based on Chrome and installs extensions from the Chrome Web Store the same way.
Does it work on my phone?
The video shows it on a computer browser. Browser extensions are not available in the Facebook phone app.
Is it safe to install a browser extension?
Install extensions only from the official store, check the name and permissions, and remove any you do not use. Extensions can access the pages they run on, so choose carefully.
Watch the video
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