Slow the next Short down. Keep YouTube.
You do not need to block all of YouTube to make Shorts less automatic. Add a speed bump to the one surface that keeps pulling you forward.
Best fit: scrollharder.lol is for people who want YouTube Shorts available for intentional watching, but want more input required before the next clip appears.
How YouTube Shorts friction works
After you enable the YouTube control, scrolling input is reduced on the Shorts feed. A normal flick no longer moves you straight into the next clip. The feed is still there; your thumb just has to cast another vote.
Three ways to use it
- Set a low speed bump.
Start at the default 50:1 ratio so the difference is noticeable but not ridiculous. - Choose a sharper boundary.
Increase the ratio when you are in a “check one thing” window and want the queue to stop carrying you. - Review effort, not guilt.
Local stats turn invisible thumb work into a concrete reminder of how much continuation costs.
What stays usable
Player controls, text fields, and ordinary YouTube navigation stay usable. V1.2.3 also guards common Shorts advance keys while friction is enabled, so the keyboard does not become a secret elevator to the next clip.
YouTube Shorts questions
Will this block the YouTube home page?
No. V1 targets the Shorts feed. You choose the supported site controls that should be active.
Can I turn the control off?
Yes. The extension keeps the setting explicit, and the friction toggle is separate from the stadium visualization.
Is this an official YouTube feature?
No. scrollharder.lol is an independent browser extension and is not affiliated with YouTube.