How to Filter YouTube by Topic (Not Just by Channel)
Last updated: August 2026
Quick answer: YouTube has no topic filter: natively you can only block channels or nudge with Not interested. The free Dehook extension adds real topic filtering: type any subject, and a small AI model running in your browser reads every video title and filters matching videos from your feed, search, and recommendations.
“I wish YouTube let me block subjects, not just channels” is one of the most repeated requests on Reddit and Quora, and the answer from YouTube has been the same for a decade: it does not. Blocking happens at channel level; everything else is a weak suggestion to the algorithm.
Semantic filtering, locally
Dehook’s difference is that the filter understands language. A small AI model runs in your browser and classifies every title in your feed against your topic list. That is why one entry called football catches Champions League highlights, transfer rumours, and a video titled Ronaldo makes stunning comeback, none of which contain the word football.
Privacy is structural: the model runs on your own GPU via WebGPU, or through your own local Ollama. Your watch behavior never leaves the machine.
Filter any topic in 4 steps
- Install Dehook. Add the free extension to your browser.
- Add a topic. Open the popup, type any subject in the Topics box: politics, crypto, a show, a person, a game.
- Let the AI download once. The first time, Dehook downloads a small language model that runs entirely on your device. One-time, then everything is local and private.
- Browse a filtered feed. Matching videos are blurred or hidden across YouTube. Add or remove topics any time; changes apply live.
Dehook↑ any subject you can name
Topics in the Dehook popup: type anything, the AI does the rest.
FAQ
How is this different from a keyword blocker?
Keyword blockers match exact strings, so Messi scores twice sails past a football keyword. Dehook’s AI classifies meaning: it knows that video is football without the word appearing. You maintain a short topic list instead of an ever-growing keyword collection.
What AI does it use, and where does my data go?
A small open language model runs inside your browser via WebGPU. Titles are classified on your device; nothing is sent to any server. Alternatively you can point Dehook at a local Ollama install.
Can I filter several topics at once?
Yes, add as many as you like. Each topic filters independently and can be toggled or removed in one click.
Does it work on Reddit too?
Yes. The same topic engine filters your Reddit feed, which makes one shared blocklist for both attention sinks.