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How to get rid of YouTube distractions: the perfect extension for Chrome
Short answer: install the Chrome extension called Undistracted (hide Facebook, YouTube feeds) from the Chrome Web Store, pin it next to the address bar, open it and turn on the YouTube options you want: hide recommendations, hide the sidebar, hide comments, hide next suggestions and hide Shorts. After that, YouTube becomes a clean search box. You see the video you were looking for and nothing else pulling you away. It only takes a few clicks.
If you open YouTube to watch one tutorial and end up an hour later somewhere you never planned to go, this is for you. Here is exactly how I set it up in the video.
Step 1: Find the extension in the Chrome Web Store
Go to Google and type Chrome Web Store. The Chrome Web Store is usually the first link. Once you are there, click the box that says Search for extensions and type:
undistracted hide Facebook YouTube feeds
Open the result and click Add. I also leave the direct link to the extension in the video description, so you can go straight there if you do not want to search.
Step 2: Pin the extension so you can see it
After you add it, look at the top right of Chrome. You will see a small puzzle piece icon. That is where all your extensions live. Click it and you will find Undistracted in the list, but without the pin it will not show up next to the address bar.
Click the pin next to it. Now you will see a small circle icon at the top right. That circle is the extension, and that is where you control everything.
Step 3: Choose what to hide on YouTube
Click the circle and choose the site you want to work with. The same extension works with Facebook, YouTube and other sites, but in this case we are working with YouTube. If you turn everything off, YouTube looks the same as usual. These are the options I use:
- Hide recommendations, so the home page stops feeding you random videos.
- Force redirect to my subscriptions, so you only see content from the channels you subscribe to. If you do not want that, you can leave it off.
- Hide breaking news.
- Hide sidebar, so you do not even see your subscriptions list. In my case I think that is the best option.
- Hide comments.
- Hide next suggestions.
- Hide Shorts.
Leave it like that, go to YouTube, and you are not going to see anything on the home page. That is the whole idea.
What YouTube looks like after the setup
Let's say you are searching for something specific, for example an airplane. You type it, you get the search results, and you click a video. You watch that video and that is it. No comments, no videos on the side, nothing pulling you to the next thing. When you finish, you go back to YouTube and the home page is empty again.
To me, this is the best way to use YouTube as a learning tool instead of a time-waster.
Great for YouTube creators too
If you are a creator and you just make videos, you can go to YouTube Studio, do whatever you need, upload your videos, and you are not going to get distracted anymore. Just do your thing, create the videos, upload them, and that's it.
Keep learning with my channels
Usually YouTube does not recommend my content, so even if you subscribe you may not see my new videos. With this extension you go straight to the channel instead. On Gabak USA, open the Playlists tab and you will see all my videos organized by topic. I also have another channel about business tools, organized the same way.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Chrome extension to remove YouTube distractions?
The one I use is called Undistracted (hide Facebook, YouTube feeds). You can find it in the Chrome Web Store.
How do I hide YouTube Shorts and recommendations?
Open the Undistracted extension, choose YouTube, and turn on Hide recommendations and Hide Shorts. You can also hide comments, the sidebar and next suggestions.
Why can't I see the extension icon after installing it?
Click the puzzle piece icon at the top right of Chrome and pin the extension. Without the pin it does not show next to the address bar.
Can I still search and watch videos?
Yes. Search works normally and you can watch any video, you just will not see comments, side videos or suggestions.