YouTube has begun rolling out updated search filters that give users more control over how Shorts appear in search results. The change targets a frequent complaint from viewers who rely on YouTube Search to find long-form videos, tutorials, and in-depth content, but instead see results dominated by short vertical clips.
The update focuses on improving content discovery rather than changing how Shorts perform across the platform. Shorts still appear in feeds, recommendations, and dedicated shelves, but search behavior now offers clearer separation between short-form and traditional videos.
How the new Shorts filter works
The most notable addition is a new “Shorts” option under the Type filter in YouTube Search. When users open search filters, they can now choose between Videos, Shorts, or other content types. Selecting Videos removes Shorts from the results, while choosing Shorts surfaces only short-form clips.
This approach does not introduce a single on-off toggle. Instead, it relies on content-type filtering, which gives users more precision when refining searches. The filter works on both desktop and mobile versions of YouTube, although availability varies as the rollout continues.
Why YouTube made this change
YouTube says the updated filters aim to better match search results with user intent. Many users search YouTube specifically for walkthroughs, reviews, lectures, or troubleshooting guides. In recent years, Shorts often appeared prominently for these queries, forcing users to scroll past multiple short clips to find full-length videos.
By separating Shorts into their own filter category, YouTube allows long-form content to regain visibility for informational searches without reducing Shorts' exposure elsewhere on the platform.
Other search filter changes rolling out
The Shorts filter arrives alongside a broader refresh of the Search Filters interface. YouTube has started renaming “Sort by” to “Prioritize” and has added a “Popularity” option to highlight widely viewed content. At the same time, the platform is removing some older filters, including “Sort by Rating” and “Upload date – Last hour.”
These adjustments suggest YouTube wants to simplify search options while steering users toward filters it considers more useful.
Limitations users should know about
The new filter does not save as a permanent preference. Users need to reapply the Videos filter each time they start a new search. YouTube has not confirmed plans to add a global default that always hides Shorts from search results.
Rollout status and what comes next
The feature is already live for some users and continues to expand gradually across regions and accounts. YouTube has not shared a firm timeline for full availability.
While modest, the update represents a meaningful shift in how YouTube balances short-form and long-form discovery. If YouTube adds persistent filter preferences in the future, the change could significantly reshape how users navigate search results.
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