YouTube Rolls Out ‘Zero-Minute’ Option To Disable Shorts Feed; Here’s How It Works

YouTube has officially begun rolling out a new "zero-minute" option within its time management settings, allowing users to effectively remove the Shorts feed from their mobile application. The feature, confirmed by YouTube spokesperson Makenzie Spiller, marks a significant shift in the platform’s approach to digital wellbeing. By setting the daily Shorts limit to zero, users can suppress the infinite-scroll feed, a move designed to help individuals combat "doomscrolling" and regain focus on traditional long-form content.

The update expands upon a timer feature introduced earlier this year, which previously only allowed a minimum viewing limit of 15 minutes. While the tool is currently live for all parental accounts, it is being progressively released to standard adult accounts globally. Instagram Comment Editing Feature Launched With 15-Minute Window for Corrections; Check Details.

The Mechanism of the 'Zero-Minute' Block

Once a user enables the zero-minute limit, the dedicated Shorts tab at the bottom of the mobile app will no longer display content. Instead, users who attempt to access the feed will be met with a notification stating they have "reached your Shorts feed limit." For standard accounts, this acts as a dismissible "polite nudge," but for teen accounts managed via Google Family Link, the block is non-dismissible, ensuring strict adherence to parental boundaries.

It is important to note that this feature specifically targets the algorithmic Shorts feed rather than the video format itself. Shorts will still remain visible on individual creator profile pages and within the Subscriptions tab, though the intentional "infinite scroll" experience will be disabled.

How to Disable the YouTube Shorts Feed

Users can activate the new limit by navigating through the following steps in the YouTube mobile app:

• Tap on the Profile icon (bottom right) and select the Settings gear.
• Click on the Time Management dashboard.
• Locate and toggle on the Shorts Feed Limit.
• Select 0 minutes from the duration options to turn off the feed immediately.
• Addressing 'Brain Rot' and Digital Wellbeing

The introduction of a zero-minute limit comes amidst growing international scrutiny over the addictive nature of short-form video. Since its debut in 2020, YouTube Shorts has grown to average over 200 billion daily views, becoming the platform's most popular medium. However, researchers and parents have frequently cited "brain rot"—a colloquial term for the cognitive fatigue associated with low-substance, endless scrolling—as a major concern for youth mental health.

By providing a native "off-ramp," YouTube is acknowledging that its most successful product can also be problematic for time management. This feature aligns with a broader 2026 trend where tech giants are integrating "friction points" to break autopilot usage cycles.

Future Evolution: AI and Shorts

Despite offering tools to limit consumption, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan remains bullish on the format’s future. In his annual letter, Mohan highlighted upcoming integrations of generative AI that will allow creators to produce Shorts using their own digital likeness or generate background music and games via simple text prompts. Google Launches Dedicated Windows App with Global Search and AI Integration

Mohan emphasized that AI is intended to be a "tool for expression, not a replacement," though these advancements suggest that the volume and complexity of Short-form content will only continue to increase, making the new "zero-minute" control a vital tool for users seeking to moderate their engagement.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 17, 2026 08:55 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).