Introduction
You ever open YouTube to watch study videos for that big test coming up, and then 5 minutes in, you’re watching shorts of Reddit stories and rewatching those 2010s music videos? It’s all too common. But here’s the thing: it’s not your fault. The algorithm, of course, is designed to take away your attention and redirect it towards the things you want to look at on YouTube. Unhook doesn’t just block distractions, it surgically removes them from YouTube’s UI. No recommendations, comments, auto-play, or compilations of cute puppies. Just you, your video, and peace. Here’s how it works. 👇
What Is It?
Unhook is a free Chrome extension that removes all the algorithmic noise from YouTube. You’ll only see what you’re there for, nothing more. So the next time you go to study for your upcoming biology test, you won’t leave with a fear of water slides… (I’m a victim myself 💀).
Blocks recommended videos (even on your home page), shorts, comments, and end screens.
Keeps the search bar and video player intact (all that you need).
Turns your YouTube into a distraction-free tool, not a dopamine pump.
Fully customizable: toggle any element on/off with checkboxes.
100% free, no login or account needed.
Now you control the algorithm, not the other way around.
How Do You Use It?
Setting up Unhook is literally easier than setting up YouTube 💀.
Get the Chrome extension here.
Check out Unhook in the puzzle (extensions) icon in Chrome (like you do for every extension…)
Visit YouTube like normal (duh).
Click the Unhook icon → Toggle on what you want to hide:
Recommendations
Homepage
Sidebar
Comments
Playlists
etc. (yeah, there’s a lot)
Bask in the serenity of just watching what you searched for (not Clash Royale lore).
I mean, writing that list felt like I was writing a lot of filler text, cause it’s really that easy. You get it, and you lose the distractions.
What Does It Replace?
Unhook essentially feels like it’s replacing YouTube, because when you download it, YouTube’s almost a completely different site. But in reality, Unhook actually fixes it.
Doomscroll spirals caused by “suggested for you” sections.
The comment section (never improves your day).
Chrome site blockers that just scold you, not solve the problem.
That “just one more video” mentality at 3:00 AM.
Your third YouTube detox this semester (it’s August).
Unhook turns YouTube from a trap into one of the best tools for focus, studying, and learning. And that’s way more powerful than “5 more minutes” will ever be.