YouTube is rolling out a long-requested update that gives users more control over how they discover content on the platform. With the latest change, users can now filter Shorts out of search results, making it easier to find traditional long-form videos without short vertical clips dominating the page.
Since launching Shorts, YouTube has aggressively promoted the format across the app, including in search results. While Shorts have helped the platform compete with TikTok and Instagram Reels, they have also frustrated users searching for full-length tutorials, reviews, interviews, or documentaries. A single search query could return dozens of Shorts, pushing longer videos further down the page. The new filter aims to solve that problem.
With the update, users can choose whether they want to see Shorts or standard videos after entering a search term. By selecting the appropriate filter, shorts can be excluded entirely, allowing search results to focus on longer content. This change applies across supported platforms, including mobile and desktop, though the rollout is gradual and may not be visible to all users at once.
YouTube has also adjusted how its search filters are presented. Some older options have been renamed or removed as part of a broader effort to simplify the search experience. The company says the goal is to help users quickly prioritize the type of content they actually want, rather than forcing them to scroll past formats they are not interested in.
The update reflects growing feedback from both viewers and creators. For viewers, Shorts-heavy search results often made YouTube feel less useful as a learning and research tool. For creators who focus on long-form content, competing with short clips in search reduced visibility and discoverability. By separating Shorts from traditional videos, YouTube is attempting to strike a better balance between entertainment and utility.
This move does not mean YouTube is stepping back from Shorts. Short-form video remains a major growth driver for the platform, especially on mobile devices. Instead, the new filter suggests YouTube recognizes that different viewing intentions require different formats. Someone casually scrolling for entertainment may prefer Shorts, while someone searching for “how to fix a phone screen” likely wants a detailed, long-form explanation.
The change also highlights a broader trend across digital platforms. As apps continue to combine social media, video, and search into a single experience, users are increasingly demanding more control. Rather than algorithmically forcing one format on everyone, platforms are beginning to offer tools that let users customize how content is displayed.
For creators, the update could slightly reshape content strategy. Long-form creators may see improved search visibility, while Shorts creators may rely more heavily on feeds and recommendations rather than search traffic. Over time, this clearer separation could help each format perform better within its intended context.
Overall, YouTube’s decision to let users filter Shorts out of search results is a small but meaningful quality-of-life improvement. It reinforces YouTube’s role not just as a social video platform, but as a powerful search and discovery tool for in-depth content.
