How To Disable YouTube AutoPlay

The YouTube algorithm does an awesome job of knowing which videos are going to keep you on this platform, and plays these videos one after another. The algorithm is designed to analyze user behavior, preferences, and engagement patterns to deliver content recommendations that are likely to keep users engaged and interested.

YouTube considers various factors to determine the relevance and potential appeal of a video to a particular viewer. Some of these factors include watching history, engagement metrics, similar content, trending topics, and popular videos.

If you and your kids are spending too much time watching YouTube videos, a good way to scale back is to turn off the AutoPlay feature on YouTube. Here is why and how to disable YouTube AutoPlay. Keep reading!

Why do we need to disable YouTube AutoPlay?

Firstly, the AutoPlay feature on YouTube automatically plays the next suggested video after the current one finishes. By disabling autoplay, you have more control over what you watch and can actively choose which videos to watch next. It helps protect you from massive content that may not align with your interests or intentions.

Additionally, AutoPlay can lead to a continuous stream of videos, making it easier to get into an endless loop of watching without realizing it. Disabling autoplay can help minimize distractions and promote more intentional use of YouTube.

Last but not least, AutoPlay relies on the YouTube algorithm to suggest and play the next video automatically. However, the algorithm may not always accurately reflect your interests. By disabling autoplay, you can manually select videos that align better with your desired content.

How to disable YouTube AutoPlay

Disable YouTube AutoPlay in the web browser

Method 1:

Step 1: Open YouTube.com in your preferred web browser.

Step 2: Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner.

Step 3: Select Playback and performance.

Step 4: Toggle off the Inline playback option in the Browsing section.

Method 2: 

Step 1: Open YouTube.com on your PC in the web browser.

Step 3: Click on any video to let it play.

Step 4: Click the Autoplay toggle at the bottom of the media player to disable the functionality.

Disable YouTube AutoPlay on mobile devices

Method 1: 

Step 1: Open the YouTube app on your mobile phone. Sign in to your YouTube account.

Step 2: Tap on your profile picture or avatar in the top-right corner of the screen. This will take you to the Account tab.

Step 3: From the Account tab, tap on Settings.

Step 4: In the Settings menu, select Autoplay.

Step 5: On the Autoplay screen, you'll see a toggle switch labeled Autoplay on Home. Tap the toggle switch to turn off autoplay.

Method 2:

Step 1: Open the YouTube app on your mobile device.

Step 2: Tap any video to play it.

Step 3: Toggle off the AutoPlay option to disable YouTube from continuing to play another video after the current one finishes.

After disabling autoplay, the YouTube app will no longer automatically play the next video. You'll have to manually select and play each video.

FAQs

Will disabling autoplay affect my YouTube app on different devices?

Disabling autoplay on one device will not affect the autoplay setting on other devices. For example, when you disable AutoPlay on your PC, this feature will not be turned off on your mobile, and vice versa. Each device's autoplay settings are independent, allowing you to customize autoplay preferences based on your preferences for each device.

Can I disable autoplay for a specific playlist or channel?

Currently, YouTube does not provide an option to disable autoplay for specific playlists or channels. Disabling autoplay will apply to the general browsing experience on YouTube, including Home and Up Next suggestions.

Do autoplay views count on YouTube?

Yes, autoplay views on YouTube are counted towards the overall view count of a video. When a video plays automatically as part of the autoplay feature, it contributes to the total view count of that particular video. Autoplay views are included in the video's metrics and can impact its popularity, visibility, and perceived success on the platform.

Final thoughts

Knowing how to disable YouTube AutoPlay gives you more control, helps manage distractions, and allows for a more intentional and customized viewing experience. It helps you actively engage with the content you want to watch and avoid being influenced by YouTube suggestions.

Also read: How to block channels on YouTube