- The new YouTube search update incorporates a filter in "Type" that allows you to separate Shorts and Long videos in the results.
- The “Sort by” menu is renamed “Priority” and the “Number of views” criterion is replaced by “Popularity”.
- YouTube is removing rarely used filters, such as "Upload date: last hour" and "Sort by rating", to simplify the panel.
- The change improves user control and forces creators and brands to better optimize their long-form content for searches with clear intent.
YouTube has finally made a move In one of the most contentious issues of recent years: the constant mixing of short videos with long videos in search results. For many users, this forced coexistence made finding a good tutorial, a complete review, or a proper lesson increasingly difficult. Now the platform introduces a search filter update which allows you to better separate both formats and fine-tune what you really want to see.
This update not only adds a filter to exclude ShortsIt also reorganizes the entire advanced search system: changing menu names, adjusting criteria such as "Priority" and "Popularity," and removing infrequently used options, such as the Trends tabso that the panel isn't a labyrinth. The result is a more intuitive internal search engine, designed both for those who want to learn something seriously and for those who just want to discover light content without complications.
What exactly has changed in YouTube search?
The star new feature is a new filter specifically for Shorts within the YouTube search menu. When you perform a search and click the "Filters" button, the "Type" section appears, from which you can now choose if you want to see Long videos, shorts, channels, playlists, or moviesWhen you select “Videos”, Shorts disappear from the results; if you choose “Shorts”, short vertical clips are prioritized, such as… Use shorts on the iPhone.
This filter acts as a manual switchYou have to activate it for each search, as YouTube doesn't yet allow you to set that preference permanently. In other words, There is no global setting to disable Shorts across all of YouTube. Nor will it make them disappear from your Subscriptions tab or main feed. It's a clear improvement, but for now it only affects the results you get each time you perform a specific search.
In addition to the new filter by content typeThe platform maintains the classic duration filter with three bands: videos of less than 3 minutes (important in the case of Shorts and their time limit), between 3 and 20 minutes and over 20 minutes. This combination of “Type” and “Duration” allows for considerable refinement: for example, you can request only long videos over 20 minutes to find documentaries or complete classes, or keep intermediate pieces for reviews and analyses.
The change is not limited to the formatYouTube has also renamed and redesigned other menus to sound less technical and be easier to understand. What was previously called "Sort by" is now called "Priority," and within that menu, the old "Number of views" option has been replaced by "Popularity," a term that better reflects how those results are actually calculated.
With this reorganization, the company seeks a balance The balance between power and simplicity lies in maintaining enough filters for maximum fine-tuning, without overwhelming the user with redundant options that almost no one will ever use. The idea is that, when you open the filter panel, you shouldn't have to think too hard to understand what each section does.
The new filter to separate short and long videos
The separation between Shorts and traditional videos was a long-standing demand. for those who use YouTube as a "video library" rather than an endless feed. Until now, search and subscriptions mercilessly mixed the two formats, so typing a query could result in a string of 20- or 30-second Shorts that provided little context.
With the new "Type" filter, you can explicitly choose which format you want to see. When searching, if you select "Videos," the results page consists only of classic horizontal content: tutorials, reviews, long gameplay videos, podcasts, recorded live streams, etc. If, on the other hand, you activate "Shorts," the interface adapts to the short vertical format, which is useful when you want to consume quick tips or short, linked content.
This distinction is especially valuable in searches with clear intentsuch as “how to change the thermal paste on your laptop,” “set up your router in bridge mode,” or “noise reduction with a noise gate.” In situations like these, a short video might show the “before and after,” but it almost never details tools, precautions, or intermediate steps. By filtering for only long videos, you greatly reduce the risk of wasting time jumping between incomplete clips.
However, the platform insists that it is not about demonizing Shorts.Google and YouTube continue to see this format as a key element for content discovery and user retention, especially on mobile, a trend that even companies like Disney They have embraced it. What changes now is that the user can decide when that format fits their intention and when it gets in the way. That is to say, The short jacket is no longer mandatory and becomes optional. in the search.
The only point that many criticize is that the filter is not saved. Between sessions, not even within the same YouTube visit. Every time you type a new query, you have to tap "Filters" again and select "Videos" if you want to keep Shorts at bay. It's the kind of detail many hope the company will eventually refine with a persistent setting.
Priority and Popularity: This is how the order of the results changes
The other major part of the update is how YouTube orders what you watch first.The classic “Sort by” menu has been renamed “Priority,” a name change that, although it may seem minor, attempts to better reflect the logic behind the search algorithm: it is not just a flat list ordered by a piece of data, but a system that decides what makes the most sense to show first according to your query.
Within that menu, the "Popularity" option replaces the old "Number of views"It's no longer just about how many times a video has been played, but about how the audience interacts with that content. YouTube has explained that its systems take into account metrics such as... viewing time, retention, and other signs of satisfaction to determine which pieces are most useful for each specific search.
This means a video with fewer views but a longer average watch time It can rank higher than a more viral but superficially viewed video. For those seeking a technical explanation or a well-structured lesson, this adjustment is good news: it prioritizes perceived quality over simply the volume of accumulated traffic.
Even so, “Popularity” still makes more sense in open and social consultations —song playlists, sports highlights, trailers, viral clips— where the key is connecting with what “everyone” is watching. For very specific terms like “Windows error 0x80070005” or “difference between APR and TIN,” many users will continue to combine that criterion with other filters for duration and content type to avoid noise.
The end result is a more nuanced search systemwhere it's no longer all about having the video with the most quick clicks. Space is opening up for well-crafted niche content that, without having exorbitant numbers, offers a depth that users appreciate and that the algorithm is beginning to recognize better.
Disappearing filters: simplifying without losing key features
To achieve a cleaner search panel, YouTube has also decided to cut back on options. that were hardly used or that were covered by other broader filters. For example, the "Upload date: last hour" option disappears, a setting that allowed you to see only the videos published in the last 60 minutes.
The "Sort by rating" criterion is also removed.which ordered the results based on positive user ratings. According to the platform, this data is somehow absorbed by more sophisticated signals that are integrated into the calculation of "Popularity" and other internal content quality indicators.
Although at first glance it may seem like a lossThe company emphasizes that users can still access the most recent videos thanks to the "Upload Date" filter, which maintains options such as "today," "this week," "this month," and "this year." This covers almost all use cases without needing to further subdivide the time slots.
This strategy responds to a general trend in product designTo reduce the feeling of complexity by leaving only the controls that truly make a difference. Too many similar filters often end up in a menu that few dare to touch; YouTube now prefers to concentrate the key decisions in a few very clear points, such as content type, duration, priority, and date.
In practice, the average user gains clarity. and loses very little actual filtering power. Those who need to see the latest uploads on a topic can still do so, but with fewer redundant options and a panel that's easier to understand at a glance.
Why YouTube has taken this step with Shorts
The pressure to separate Shorts and Long Videos didn't come out of nowhere.Since YouTube launched its short-form format inspired by the success of TikTok, many users have expressed reluctance to see vertical clips every time they open the app, especially those who use the platform on computers or televisions with horizontal screens and are looking for more in-depth content.
For some viewers, the Shorts disrupted the natural flow of useThey were designed for endless scrolling and quick entertainment, while "classic" YouTube had established itself as a space for learning, following creators for hours, and watching more elaborate productions. The uncontrolled mixing of these two worlds in search and subscriptions generated constant friction.
For years, the only way to partially get rid of the Shorts This meant resorting to browser extensions or external workarounds, which made it clear that the platform wasn't addressing an obvious need. With this update, YouTube officially acknowledges for the first time that Not everyone wants the same type of content all the time and that makes sense to offer native control.
At the same time, the company is trying not to weaken its commitment to the short format.That's why the filtering is targeted and not global, and why Shorts continue to have a prominent presence in tabs like "Subscriptions" and in the main feed. In practice, YouTube seeks to balance two forces: the surge of viral content lasting only a few seconds and the loyalty of those who come to the platform precisely to escape that pace.
This decision is part of a broader reflection on the future of online video.Platforms compete for attention, but also to offer the feeling that users control what they see and when they see it. Giving users the option to exclude Shorts from searches sends a clear message: YouTube wants the tool to remain useful for those with a specific intention, not just for those who are simply following the algorithm.
How to get the most out of the new search feature if you're a user
The YouTube search update makes sense when combined with good queries.The filter to remove Shorts is a powerful tool, but it doesn't replace the work of clearly defining what you're looking for. The clearer your intention, the easier it will be for the new "Priority" and "Popularity" criteria to lead you to truly useful content.
A simple technique is to build the search with three layers.Topic, objective, and, if necessary, a restriction. For example, instead of just "OBS," you can write "OBS configure 1080p lossless streaming"; instead of "hypothyroidism," use "hypothyroidism symptoms full medical explanation." If you also apply the "Videos" filter under "Type" and select a reasonable minimum duration, you greatly reduce the likelihood of getting lost among superficial clips.
It also helps to include words that suggest long formattingTerms like “course,” “full lesson,” “step-by-step tutorial,” “documentary,” “in-depth analysis,” or “definitive guide” are used by YouTube's algorithm as a clear indication that you're looking for something more elaborate, and in combination with the exclusion of Shorts, it tends to return more structured results.
If the topic you are researching changes rapidly (software, artificial intelligence, mobile devices)Adding the year can make sense, but only when it's crucial to avoid outdated videos. Otherwise, you risk over-filtering and missing out on excellent content that's still relevant even if it's not from yesterday.
Finally, it's worth taking advantage of playlists. To build your own library and not always depend on new searches. Saving the best long videos you find thanks to the new filter makes each subsequent session more efficient, because you already have a curated repository without Shorts getting in the way.
What does this change mean for creators and channels?
For creators, the ability to exclude Shorts from search results is a game-changer. In terms of discovery, until now, a well-optimized short could sneak into a multitude of results and act as a quick entry point to a channel. With the update, that entry point still exists, but the user can now choose to close it when they want more in-depth information.
The practical consequence is that long videos gain even more weight as proof of authority.If someone activates the filter to view only traditional videos when searching for "full review," "camera comparison," or "audio mixing course," they are very likely closer to making a purchase decision or investing time in serious learning. That's where good, long-form content, well-titled and well-presented, can make all the difference.
From the perspective of YouTube's internal SEOIt becomes even more important that titles honestly describe the results they offer (“Set up OBS for lag-free live streams in 10 minutes”) and that thumbnails aren't overly sensationalist. Descriptions with chapters, additional resources, and clear links also help the algorithm interpret the video as a robust piece and favor it in “Popularity” when the search intent matches.
The smartest strategy for many channels will be to combine both formats.Use short videos as a hook to showcase previews, tricks, or eye-catching snippets, and always refer viewers to longer videos that fully explore the topic. With the new filter, those who are truly interested can skip the short clips and go directly to the channel's main content.
This scenario can also reduce the saturation of repetitive content.Especially those generated almost automatically with synthetic voices or superficial summaries. If a significant portion of the audience starts filtering Shorts when looking to learn something, creators who invest time in production and scriptwriting have a better chance of securing a spot in the top results.
Taken together, YouTube's move reinforces the idea that the platform is both a social network and an archive.And that each role has its own rules. Shorts will continue to be key for virality and impulse consumption, but longer videos reinforce their place as a space for explanation, context, and depth, now with a search system more aligned with that function.
With all these adjustments, the YouTube search experience is closer to what many users were asking for.An environment where you can enjoy Shorts when you want something quick, but also effortlessly find a good long-form video when you need to learn something or make an important decision. The new content type filter, the "Priority" menu, the "Popularity" criterion, and the simplification of other settings all point in the same direction: less noise, more control, and results that better match your actual intentions when you visit YouTube.
