YouTube added a new feature that lets you completely turn off Shorts, the app’s TikTok-style videos. You can now set a zero-minute time limit on Shorts, which removes them entirely from your phone.
This is pretty surprising. YouTube has been pushing Shorts hard for years to compete with TikTok. Now they’re giving people a way to avoid them completely.
From 15 Minutes to Zero
YouTube first added Shorts timers in October, but the lowest option was 15 minutes per day. That wasn’t enough for people who wanted to avoid the endless scroll of short videos entirely. The company quietly updated the feature to include a zero-minute option, essentially an off switch.
The timing is interesting. While other companies are copying TikTok’s short video format, YouTube is acknowledging that some users want the opposite. Many people complain that Shorts are addictive and pull them away from longer, more educational content.
What This Means
This could be YouTube responding to user complaints about Shorts being too distracting. Or maybe they’re confident enough in Shorts’ success that they can afford to let some people opt out. Either way, it’s rare to see a tech company give users a way to completely avoid a major feature they’ve invested heavily in.
The feature works through YouTube’s existing time management settings and is available on both Android and iPhone apps now.
