Summary

The article discusses a solution to avoid getting distracted by YouTube recommended videos while working.

Abstract

The article describes the problem of getting distracted by YouTube recommended videos, which can be a major source of frustration and distraction. The author found a solution to this problem by installing a Chrome extension called DF Tube, which hides the right panel of recommended videos. The author also mentions that the extension can be deactivated if the user wants to watch recommended videos, but prefers searching on Google instead. The article also suggests disabling Autoplay and other features of YouTube using the extension.

Opinions

The author believes that the YouTube algorithm is programmed to make users watch as many videos as possible, which can be a major source of distraction.
The author finds the DF Tube extension to be a handy solution to avoid getting distracted by YouTube recommended videos.
The author prefers searching for videos on Google instead of watching recommended videos.
The author suggests disabling Autoplay and other features of YouTube using the extension.
The author finds the options provided by the extension to be handy.

FOCUS

How to Avoid Getting Sucked into YouTube Recommended Videos

Save countless hours with this simple tool

Do you sometimes waste time on YouTube recommended videos that appear in the right panel of your screen?

I bet you do since the YouTube algorithm is programmed to make you watch as many videos as possible.

And if you’re working remotely like me, this is a big problem since your co-workers are not here to remind you that you should be working.

Let me help you find a solution to that problem.

A big source of distraction

I have to admit the recommended YouTube videos panel has been a major source of frustration for me.

In my story about my recent depression episode, I wrote that: “YouTube would take me for a ride from one catchy topic to the next, such as exploring the world with a unicycle or hunting down pythons in Cameroon”.

Time would fly and I would barely realize it. What a big source of distraction!

This might be fine if you are looking for entertainment, but not while working.

Stop the madness with a simple tool

I complained about this a couple of times with my accountability partner Then I realized it was a major problem I needed to tackle.

Fortunately, I found a handy solution. The trick is to install a simple extension in Chrome. It’s called DF Tube, which means “Distraction Free for Youtube”.

This simply hides the right panel of recommended videos. And it has been so liberating! It saved me countless of hours since I installed it.

What if you still want to occasionally watch recommended videos?

Now you ask: “But what about recommended videos that are authentically useful?”. Indeed, you might for example watch a tutorial for your work, and be interested in other tutorials on the same topic.

Well in that case you can easily “Deactivate” the extension:

However, I don’t usually do this. I prefer searching by myself on Google.

If I get used to deactivating the plugin, I might sometimes forget to activate it again. And given how forgetful I am, this is a big risk.

But the option is here.

Going further

Last but not least, you can hide/disable various other features of YouTube using this extension. For example, disabling Autoplay is a must in my opinion.

For that you need to click on the “Options” button. And here are the choices you get:

This is so handy, right?

I hope you enjoyed this focus hack. If you are like me, it can save your countless hours.

And if you want to refine and disable various parts of the YouTube interface, I recommend that you play with the options and find the ones that work best for you.

In 1st february 2022, I’ve embarked in a 100 days writing challenge. This is post number 7.

Originally published at https://alexphili.com on February 7, 2022.