Block in one click
Use the button beside a creator or the ChannelFence action in a supported video's three-dot menu.
Free, open source, and local-only
A persistent block list for YouTube creators.
Block a creator once across supported Home feeds, search, Watch Next, Shorts, comments, and direct visits.
No account. No extension analytics. No ads. Your block list stays in Chrome.
Add handles manually
Paste a YouTube handle or channel URL into settings to build your block list directly.
Hide creators across YouTube
Filter supported Home, search, Watch Next, Shorts, playlists, comments, and direct pages. Blocking in the Shorts viewer advances to the next Short.
Hide Shorts in feeds
Remove supported Shorts shelves and cards from feeds while keeping the Shorts tab and viewer available.
Why ChannelFence?
A block list, not a recommendation preference.
YouTube's "Don't recommend channel" changes recommendations. It is not a persistent site-wide creator block list. ChannelFence gives you an explicit list you can view, edit, back up, and apply across supported YouTube surfaces.
How it works
Creator blocking that stays simple.
- Install ChannelFenceAdd the extension from the official Chrome Web Store.
- Choose a creatorClick ⊘, use a supported three-dot menu, or paste a handle in settings.
- Browse without themMatching content is hidden while your private list remains easy to undo or edit.
Privacy by design
Your block list is yours.
ChannelFence stores your settings and block list locally in Chrome. It has no account system, extension analytics, advertising, remote code, or developer-controlled server. Its source and automated tests are public.
Guides, comparisons, and notes
Make YouTube behave more like you expect.
Guide
How to block YouTube channels in Chrome
Three ways to add a creator to your persistent block list.
Explainer
"Don't recommend channel" vs. a creator block
Understand the practical difference between the two controls.
Guide
How to hide YouTube Shorts in Chrome
Remove Shorts from feeds without deleting the Shorts tab.
Comparison
ChannelFence vs. BlockTube
Choose between a focused creator list and advanced content filters.
QA note
A dollar sign broke my GitLab CI login
Six seconds locally. Five minutes and locked accounts in CI. The saved passwords matched.
QA note
The tests passed. The extension was still broken.
Real bugs, green tests, and what building ChannelFence taught me about software QA.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How do I block a YouTube channel in Chrome?
Install ChannelFence, then click its ⊘ button beside the creator or choose ChannelFence: Block from a supported video's three-dot menu. You can also paste the creator's handle or channel URL in settings.
Does ChannelFence send or sell my block list?
No. The list and settings remain in Chrome's local extension storage and are not sent to the developer or third parties.
Can ChannelFence remove Shorts from my feeds?
Yes. Turn on Hide Shorts in feeds in the extension popup or settings. This removes supported Shorts shelves and cards from feeds while keeping the Shorts tab and direct viewer available.
Is ChannelFence affiliated with YouTube or Google?
No. ChannelFence is independent open-source software and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Google LLC.
Take control of what appears on YouTube.
Install ChannelFence for free, or inspect every line on GitHub.