How To Exclude Shorts From YouTube Search | The New Filter

YouTube’s 2026 update added a built-in search filter that removes Shorts from search results by selecting Video under the Type menu.

It took years of complaints, but YouTube finally added the one button searchers asked for. The Shorts filter, launched in early 2026, lets you strip short-form videos out of search results with a single menu choice — no extensions, no workarounds, and no subscription required. The feature is live on both the YouTube mobile app and desktop site, and it applies globally to free and Premium accounts alike.

The fix is straightforward: after searching, tap the Filters or three-dot menu and pick Video under the Type section. Shorts get excluded as a separate content type, leaving only long-form results. Below are the exact steps for each platform, plus what the filter cannot do.

Filter Shorts from YouTube Search: The Official 2026 Method

YouTube’s built-in Search Filter lets users select Video as a content type under the Filters menu, which excludes Shorts as a separate format. The feature was announced in early 2026 and is now active globally on both the YouTube app and desktop site. No Premium subscription or account setting is required — it works on any search query.

The company confirmed the change via a press announcement, with the option appearing “shortly” after the Thursday announcement date. Guides published later in 2026 confirm the filter is functional across all regions and device types.

On the YouTube Mobile App (iOS and Android)

1. Open the YouTube app and tap the Search icon (top-right corner).
2. Enter your query and tap the Search button.
3. Tap the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner of the results page.
4. Select Search Filters from the menu.
5. In the submenu, tap Video — Shorts now appear as a separate type, so choosing Video filters them out.
6. Tap the Back arrow to see results containing only long-form videos.

The results page reloads with only standard video thumbnails — no vertical Shorts squares mixed in.

On the YouTube Desktop Site (Any Browser)

1. Go to youtube.com and type your query in the search bar, then click Search.
2. On the right side of the results page, click Filters.
3. Under the Type section, select Video — this excludes Shorts as a distinct content type.
4. The results update instantly to show only long-form videos.

The filter bar shows “Video” as an active chip, and all results display standard horizontal thumbnails.

Where the Shorts Filter Actually Works

The built-in filter only affects search results. It does not remove Shorts from the Home feed, recommendations, subscriptions, or anywhere else on YouTube. Understanding this boundary is essential — many users assume the filter controls the entire app, which leads to frustration.

Common Mistakes That Keep Shorts in Your Results

A few recurring errors cause the filter to seem broken when it isn’t. Here is what typically goes wrong and how to avoid it.

• Clicking time-based filters instead of the Type filter. Selecting “Uploaded last hour” or “Today” under Search time does nothing to remove Shorts — you must choose Type → Video specifically.
• Assuming the old app still lacks the feature. Before 2026, no official filter existed. If you have not updated the YouTube app or checked the current menu, you may miss the option entirely. Running the latest version ensures the filter appears.
• Using “Not interested” on a Short. That button only affects future recommendations on the Home feed. It does not change search results at all.
• Expecting the filter to clean up the Home feed. The Search Filter only applies to search queries. If you meant to block Shorts from your main landing page, this filter is not the tool you need.

What the Search Filter Does Not Do

The filter’s scope is limited. If a user clicks a Short that still appears in search results (on older versions or cached results), the YouTube player may default to the Shorts version instead of the standard video player — a change YouTube made in 2024-2025 that persists even after filtering. The only reliable way to avoid this is to stay on filtered search pages and not tap Shorts thumbnails.

For Shorts on the Home feed, YouTube offers a separate setting called Shorts feed limit under Time Management → Daily Limit. Setting it to 0 minutes hides Shorts from the Home feed, though this option is distinct from the search filter and lives in a different part of the settings menu.

Third-Party Options for Full Shorts Control

If you want to block Shorts outside of search — across the Home feed, recommendations, or the entire site — third-party tools fill the gap. Each has trade-offs in security and longevity.

One-Tap Shorts Filter: The 2026 Takeaway

The official Shorts filter solves the biggest complaint about YouTube search with a simple toggle: search your query, open Filters, pick Video under Type, and done. Mobile users reach it through the three-dot menu, desktop users through the Filters button. The change is permanent per search session, applies to every region and account type, and requires no paid plan.

For Shorts outside search — the Home feed, recommendations, and subscriptions — the built-in filter does not reach. YouTube’s separate “Shorts feed limit” setting covers the Home feed, while browser extensions handle everything else. But for the search bar itself, the fix is finally native and it takes about three taps.