YouTube has taken a long-requested step: it now allows you to remove Shorts videos from search results. The measure, which is already in place in several countries, including Spain, introduces a new filter that clearly separates traditional videos from short content in a vertical format.
Although the feature does not completely remove Shorts from the platformrepresents the first concrete change for those who prefer to watch long videos and are looking for an experience closer to the original YouTube.
The news was confirmed by Google in an official help section detailing the overhaul of the search engine. From now on, when creating a query and clicking the Filters button Users can choose between two types of content: “Video” or “Short Videos”. Selecting “Video” removes Shorts from the results, allowing you to view only posts in the traditional format.
Since the introduction of Shorts on YouTube, many users have expressed discomfort with the forced integration of this type of content. Inspired by the success of TikTok, Shorts were designed as short vertical videos and is infinitely replayable, with a heavy emphasis on retention and quick consumption.
This format has become popular, but it has also created a backlash among those who use YouTube from computers or TVs, or who are looking for longer and deeper content. For years, Shorts have been ambiguous in both search and subscriptions, with no way to hide them in their original form.
This forced users to scroll through videos that did not match their interestseven when searching for specific topics. The new feature does not completely eliminate this problem, but it introduces a special tool to reduce its presence.
The change is in the search filters menu. When typing “Type”, two distinctly different options appear. The selection is not permanent, so it must be activated on each searcha detail that still draws criticism. However, this is the first time YouTube has officially acknowledged the need to separate the two formats.
In addition to the new filter, Google has also adjusted other elements of the search engine. The ‘Sort by’ menu has been renamed to ‘Priority’ and the ‘Views’ criterion is now listed as ‘Popularity’. The latter allows you to quickly find the most viewed videos related to a specific search.
At the same time, the platform eliminated some filters that were not well received. The “Date Uploaded: Latest” and “Sort by Rating” options are no longer available. According to the company, these features were covered by other existing criteria such as overall release date and popularity.
While the ability to hide Shorts from searches is welcome, this feature has limitations. Short videos continue to appear in the Subscriptions tab and other sections of the main feed. There is also currently a global setting that allows you to disable this type of content permanently.
For many users, this point remains the main complaint. Mandatory coexistence of formats is in line with Google’s strategy to compete directly with TikTok and other short-form video platforms while keeping audiences within its ecosystem. However, the introduction of the filter shows that the company is beginning to recognize that not everyone uses YouTube in the same way.
The expansion of Shorts has re-opened a larger discussion about the direction of video platforms. While short content prefers immediacy and constant repetition, some audiences continue to appreciate long videos, extensive analysis and more complex productions. For these users, YouTube is still different from TikTok precisely because of this type of content.
The new feature does not change the overall strategy of the platform, but it sets a precedent. For the first time, YouTube offers its own Shorts filtering tool without relying on third-party extensions or external settings. Although control is still limited, the movement suggests that user pressure is beginning to take effect.
