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To make YouTube’s recommendations more relevant, dismiss unwanted videos, filter channels, remove watch history that no longer reflects your interests, or—if you accept the trade-off—turn watch history off. These controls affect different parts of your activity and do not guarantee that every unwanted recommendation will disappear or that changes will show up immediately.
Why are my YouTube recommendations so bad?
YouTube uses several signals, including watch and search history, subscriptions, likes and dislikes, feedback such as “Not interested” and “Don’t recommend channel,” and satisfaction surveys. The signals differ by surface: YouTube says watch history is the primary basis for Home recommendations, while the video you are currently watching is the main signal for the next-video suggestion. So a change to one signal may not affect every recommendation in the same way.
YouTube also says Google Account activity may influence recommendations, search results, notifications, and suggested videos in other places. You can review or control account activity in My Activity; that does not establish that a particular unrelated Google service caused a specific video to appear.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesHow do I stop YouTube recommending videos I don’t like?
Start with targeted feedback on the recommendation itself. The controls are available on supported YouTube surfaces, but menu placement and interaction vary by device. Some features require you to be signed in.
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1. Mark an individual video “Not interested”
- On Home or Watch Next, open the More menu beside the unwanted recommendation.
- Select “Not interested.”
- If YouTube offers “Tell us why,” choose the reason that best fits, such as “I’ve already watched the video” or “I don’t like the video.”
This gives feedback about a specific recommendation; it is not the same as blocking a whole channel. On some TVs or consoles, use the remote’s select button to open the menu. The exact labels or placement may differ.
2. Tell YouTube not to recommend a channel
- Find a video from the channel on Home or Watch Next.
- Open the More menu beside it.
- Choose “Don’t recommend channel.”
This is channel-level feedback, rather than dismissal of one video. Some YouTube surfaces also provide a channel control specifically for posts.
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- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
How can I remove old activity from my recommendations?
3. Delete watch history that no longer represents your interests
Review watch history in YouTube History or My Activity. Remove individual watched videos, or delete a selected time range if a broader cleanup is more appropriate. YouTube says deleted watch-history content will not be used as a basis for future video recommendations.
Check the scope before deleting: removing watch history for a selected period can also delete search history from that same period. YouTube’s history controls explain how to review, delete, and manage watch history.
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Should I turn off YouTube watch history?
4. Pause history only if you accept less personalized recommendations
In My Activity controls, turn off watch history. On mobile, YouTube settings may include “Manage all history” and controls for whether searches are included. While watch history is off, activity is not saved to that history or used to improve recommendations. Resume history if you want future viewing to inform recommendations again.
This is a broad setting, not a selective filter for bad videos. YouTube says that when watch history is off and there is no significant prior watch history, Home recommendations are removed; the search bar and navigation remain. Its recommendation guidance describes how history relates to different YouTube surfaces.
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Which recommendation control should I use?
| Control | Scope | What changes | Important consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| “Not interested” | One recommended video | Provides feedback about that recommendation | Does not filter an entire channel |
| “Don’t recommend channel” | A channel | Provides channel-level feedback | Menu availability and placement vary by surface |
| Delete watch history | Selected videos or a time range | Removes deleted watch-history content as a basis for future video recommendations | Deleting a period’s watch history can also delete search history for that period |
| Turn off watch history | Future watch-history activity | Stops saving activity to watch history and using it to improve recommendations | With no significant prior history, Home recommendations are removed |
What to expect after changing these settings
These are feedback and history controls, not a guarantee of immediate or complete feed correction. YouTube’s cited help pages do not specify a response time. Because Home and Watch Next rely on signals differently, use the control whose scope matches the problem rather than expecting one setting to change every recommendation surface.
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