How to Block Horror Content on YouTube
Last updated: August 2026
Quick answer: Install the free Dehook extension, open the popup, and add horror content as a blocked topic. Dehook’s local AI reads every video title and filters horror content content out of your feed and recommendations, even when the title never uses the word. YouTube itself has no topic filter, so an extension is the only way.
Horror thumbnails and scary storytelling autoplay their way into evening browsing. Filter the category if it wrecks your sleep or you simply never want jumpscares suggested.
Why keywords and “Not interested” are not enough
Clicking Not interested barely works: Mozilla’s RegretsReporter study measured that it prevents only about 11 percent of similar recommendations. Keyword blockers do a bit better but only match exact words, and most horror content videos never put the obvious word in the title. Dehook runs a small AI model locally in your browser that understands what a video is about, so the filter holds.
What happens after you block it
Blocked videos are blurred with a “Filtered by Dehook” cover (or removed entirely in Hide mode). You can always click to reveal one. And because you stop clicking and watching horror content content, YouTube’s own algorithm gradually stops recommending it too: you are starving the recommendation loop at the source.
Block horror content in 4 steps
- Install Dehook. Add the free Dehook extension to Chrome, Edge, Brave, or any Chromium browser.
- Open the Topics section. Click the Dehook icon in your toolbar and find the Topics box.
- Add "horror content". Type horror content and click Add. Dehook's local AI now recognizes horror content videos even when the title never uses that word.
- Reload YouTube. Refresh your tab. Videos about horror content are blurred out of your feed (or fully hidden if you prefer Hide mode).
Dehook↑ your blocked topic, filtered by AI
Adding "horror content" as a blocked topic in the Dehook popup.
FAQ
Does this really catch horror content videos that never mention it in the title?
Yes, that is the point of the AI filter. A plain keyword blocker only matches exact words, but Dehook runs a small language model in your browser that reads each title and decides what the video is actually about. It catches horror content content that a keyword list would miss.
Does YouTube have a built-in way to do this?
No. YouTube only lets you block channels or click Not interested, and Mozilla research found Not interested only prevents about 11 percent of similar recommendations. There is no native topic filter, which is why an extension is needed.
Is my data sent anywhere?
No. Dehook’s AI runs entirely inside your browser. Titles are classified locally and nothing about your viewing leaves your computer.
Is this useful for kids' browsing?
Yes, on the browser where Dehook runs. Scary content is a top parental complaint, and a topic filter plus hiding Shorts covers most of it. It is still not a childproof lock.