FocusTube — MergePoint

FocusTube transforms YouTube into a distraction-free, intentional learning space. Instead of blocking content, it redesigns YouTube to hide addictive elements and visual noise that pull you away from your original goal.
By replacing the recommendation-heavy homepage with an Active Focus Page, hiding Shorts and sidebar suggestions, FocusTube helps you stay present and in control. A built-in time tracker quietly keeps you aware of how long you’ve been watching, helping prevent unintentional binge sessions.
Key Features:
1. Active Focus Mode - Replaces the chaotic homepage recommendations with a calm, purposeful interface. You must actively choose what you want to search for or learn before seeing any content.
2. Hide Shorts - Completely hides the Shorts shelf and Shorts tab, eliminating the most addictive part of the platform.
3. Hide Side Recommendations While Watching - Automatically hides sidebar recommendations while a video is playing to help you stay focused on the content you selected.
4. Always Hide Side Recommendations - Keep the sidebar hidden even when you pause or finish a video, ensuring no distracting suggestions appear.
5. YouTube Time Tracker - A discreet timer tracks your viewing session, helping you stay aware of your time and prevent time blindness..
Designed for students, professionals, and mindful users, FocusTube improves productivity, reduces cognitive overload, and gives control back to you with a clean, minimalist interface.
6. Blur Thumbnails - Blurs all video thumbnails across the platform to reduce impulsive clicking and visual overstimulation, allowing you to focus intentionally rather than reactively.
7. Hide Comments - Completely hides the comments section to eliminate distractions, negativity, and endless scrolling, helping you stay focused on the actual content.

New Updates:
We’ve just added two powerful new focus-enhancing features:
--Blur Thumbnails
--Hide Comments
These updates further strengthen FocusTube’s mission to minimize distraction, reduce dopamine-driven browsing, and help you stay intentional while using YouTube.