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This post is archived and may contain outdated information. It has been set to 'noindex' and should stop showing up in search results.
Turn YouTube Annotations Off Permanently Using Ad Blocking Filter
Nov 3, 2015Web and InternetComments (2)
YouTube annotations are semi-transparent boxes of text that cover a video while you're watching it. They can be different colors and sizes, and can pop up or go away at any point during a video. Sometimes they are useful, but most of the time they aren't. YouTube gives you a way to turn them off on a per-video basis in video options, but not permanently or site-wide. Here is how you can achieve that using an ad blocker browser extension and a simple filter.
To block the annotations from showing up, you'll need an ad blocker extension or plug-in for your browser. If you don't already have one, you can get one from your browser's extension/plug-in page. I recommend µBlock Origin for either Chrome or Firefox. Any one that supports the AdBlock Plus filter syntax will work.
Once you have the ad blocker installed, you'll need to add one custom filter to remove YouTube annotations. You can do this in the "My filters" section of uBlock, which can be found depending on your browser at:
Chrome
More Tools > Extensions > uBlock Origin Options > My filters
Firefox
Add-ons > Extensions > uBlock Origin Options > Show Dashboard > My filters
Add this filter on its own line (copy and paste it) and then hit "Apply changes":
You shouldn't need to restart your browser.
If you want to revert back to allowing annotations, you'll have to remove the filter from your custom filters.
Use an Ad Blocker
To block the annotations from showing up, you'll need an ad blocker extension or plug-in for your browser. If you don't already have one, you can get one from your browser's extension/plug-in page. I recommend µBlock Origin for either Chrome or Firefox. Any one that supports the AdBlock Plus filter syntax will work.
Adding a Custom Filter
Once you have the ad blocker installed, you'll need to add one custom filter to remove YouTube annotations. You can do this in the "My filters" section of uBlock, which can be found depending on your browser at:
Chrome
More Tools > Extensions > uBlock Origin Options > My filters
Firefox
Add-ons > Extensions > uBlock Origin Options > Show Dashboard > My filters
Add this filter on its own line (copy and paste it) and then hit "Apply changes":
youtube.com/annotations_You shouldn't need to restart your browser.
Reverting Back
If you want to revert back to allowing annotations, you'll have to remove the filter from your custom filters.