Netflix offers a vast library of shows, movies, and documentaries that cater to all kinds of tastes. While this is great for content variety, sometimes you may want to block or restrict certain shows from appearing on your profile—whether to avoid spoilers, unwanted genres, or simply for parental controls.

In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through various ways to block shows on Netflix, from using the platform’s built-in controls to managing your recommendations and using parental controls. Let’s dive into how you can take control of what appears on your screen.

Method 1: Removing Shows from Your “Continue Watching” List

If you’ve accidentally started a show and don’t want it showing up in your “Continue Watching” list, there’s a simple way to remove it.

Steps:

  1. Log in to Your Netflix Account: Open the Netflix app or website and sign in to your account.
  2. Go to Your Profile: Make sure you’re logged into the profile where you want to remove the show.
  3. Navigate to “Continue Watching”: On the homepage, scroll down to find your “Continue Watching” row.
  4. Select the Show You Want to Remove: Hover over the show or movie you wish to remove.
  5. Click the “X” Button: A small “X” should appear on the top-right corner of the title. Click it to remove it from the list.

This will immediately remove the show from your “Continue Watching” row, but it won’t block it from appearing in future recommendations.

Method 2: Using “Hide Titles” to Remove Recommendations

If there’s a show or movie that keeps showing up in your Netflix suggestions but you have no interest in it, you can simply hide it from your recommendations.

Steps:

  1. Log in to Your Netflix Account: Open Netflix and log into your profile.
  2. Navigate to “Account Settings”: On the website, go to the menu by clicking on your profile icon and select “Account”.
  3. Go to “Profile & Parental Controls”: Under this section, click on the dropdown next to your profile name.
  4. Select “Viewing Activity”: Here, you can see a complete list of everything you’ve watched on Netflix.
  5. Hide a Show: Find the show you want to block and click the “Hide” button next to it. This will prevent Netflix from recommending it based on your viewing history.

While this method doesn’t block the show outright, it removes it from recommendations and helps you curate your viewing experience better.

Method 3: Using Parental Controls to Block Shows for Kids

Netflix allows you to set up parental controls to block shows or movies based on age ratings, which can be particularly useful if you want to block inappropriate content for children.

Steps:

  1. Log in to Your Netflix Account: Access Netflix via the app or website.
  2. Go to “Account Settings”: Click on your profile icon and select “Account”.
  3. Set Up Parental Controls: Under “Profile & Parental Controls”, select the profile for which you want to set restrictions.
  4. Select “Change” Under “Viewing Restrictions”: Here, you can adjust the age ratings for that profile. You can set the profile to show only movies and TV shows that are appropriate for children or specific age groups (e.g., PG, PG-13).
  5. Apply Changes: Save the settings to block shows or movies that don’t meet the age requirements.

This is an effective way to block shows for younger viewers and tailor the Netflix experience based on age-appropriate content.

Method 4: Use Third-Party Apps to Block Content

Although Netflix itself doesn’t offer a direct way to block specific shows, there are third-party apps and browser extensions that can help manage and block content.

Some of these tools allow you to set restrictions on specific genres, keywords, or even block entire categories of shows. These solutions can be useful if you’re looking for more detailed control over your content.

Suggested Tools:

  • Browser Extensions: Extensions like “Block Site” for Chrome can be used to block Netflix URLs containing specific keywords.
  • Third-Party Parental Control Apps: Tools like Qustodio or Net Nanny can help monitor and control what content is visible on Netflix for your children or any user.

These third-party apps offer extra flexibility, but they may require a subscription or setup to be effective.

Method 5: Creating Multiple Profiles

If you’re sharing your Netflix account with others in your household, consider creating individual profiles for everyone. Netflix allows you to customize content recommendations for each profile, and this can help you avoid unwanted content from being suggested on your main profile.

Steps:

  1. Log in to Your Netflix Account: Go to the Netflix website or app.
  2. Create a New Profile: Under the profile section, select “Manage Profiles”, then “Add Profile”.
  3. Customize Profile Settings: For each new profile, you can set content restrictions (e.g., PG or PG-13) and allow for a personalized list of recommendations.
  4. Switch Between Profiles: Each family member or user can now switch between profiles to ensure that their recommendations stay customized to their viewing habits.

Conclusion: Take Control of Your Netflix Experience

While Netflix doesn’t allow you to completely block specific shows directly, there are a number of ways to filter out unwanted content and customize your viewing experience. By using features like hiding titles, setting up parental controls, and creating individual profiles, you can ensure that your Netflix account remains tailored to your preferences.

If you’re sharing an account, consider taking the time to set up profiles for everyone, which can also help prevent younger viewers from accessing inappropriate content.

Now that you know how to block or restrict content, you can make the most out of your Netflix experience, free from unwanted shows and recommendations!