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YouTube Shorts Blocker

2024
Browser Extension
maintenance
CodeChrome StoreVisit Website

🎯 Impact: Thousands of users have adopted the extension to improve focus and reduce distracting content consumption

Overview

YouTube Shorts Blocker is a comprehensive Chrome extension that does exactly what you think it does - it removes all traces of Shorts and YouTube's gaming content, helping users stay focused and avoid doomscrolling. The extension addresses the growing concern about algorithm-driven short-form content and gaming distractions that can derail productive YouTube sessions.

The extension features a dual-blocking approach: smart YouTube Shorts blocking that can be toggled on/off with an optional timer feature (5 minutes to 4 hours), and always-on games blocking that permanently removes YouTube Playables and Gaming sections for maximum focus. Built with privacy as a core principle, the extension collects no personal data and stores all settings locally on the user's device.

Designed for students, professionals, content creators, and anyone trying to maintain focus while using YouTube for educational or research purposes, the extension provides robust error handling to ensure consistent blocking even when YouTube updates its interface. The lightweight architecture ensures minimal performance impact while delivering comprehensive content filtering.

Technologies Used

JavaScriptChrome Extension APIDOM ManipulationContent ScriptsWeb APIs

Key Features

Smart YouTube Shorts blocking - toggleable with timer control (5 minutes to 4 hours)
Always-on Games blocking - permanently removes YouTube Playables and Gaming sections
Redirects direct Shorts URLs back to main YouTube page
Removes Shorts from home feed, recommendations, and sidebar
Smart timer handling for browser sleep/wake cycles
Lightweight & fast with optimized performance and minimal impact
Robust error handling - consistent blocking even when YouTube updates
Privacy-focused design with no data collection
Local storage only - all settings stored on user's device
Minimal permissions - only requests essential permissions
Open source code publicly available for transparency
Perfect for students, professionals, and content creators

Challenges & Solutions

Implementing robust error handling to maintain blocking consistency across YouTube updates
Creating dual-blocking architecture (toggleable Shorts vs always-on Games)
Developing smart timer functionality that handles browser sleep/wake cycles accurately
Building URL redirection system for direct Shorts links
Ensuring minimal performance impact while maintaining comprehensive blocking
Designing privacy-first architecture with zero data collection
Managing different blocking strategies for various YouTube interface elements
Balancing user control (toggleable Shorts) with persistent focus (always-on Games)

Key Learnings

Advanced Chrome Extension architecture with dual blocking systems
Timer management and browser lifecycle event handling
Privacy-focused extension development with minimal permissions
YouTube DOM manipulation and URL routing interception
Local storage management for user preferences
Error handling and resilience in dynamic web environments
Open source project management and community engagement
User experience design for productivity-focused browser tools