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clawsmith.com/idea/block-dark-patterns-youtube-shorts-web-clutter
IdeaCompetitiveBROWSER_EXTENSIONPRODUCTIVITYDARK_PATTERNSLive

A browser extension that blocks YouTube Shorts, dark-pattern UI, and recommendation noise from any site the user visits

YouTube injected Shorts into every surface of the platform and sites keep stacking cookie walls, popups, and infinite-scroll feeds that hijack attention. Existing fixes are fragmented: one extension kills Shorts, another handles cookie banners, uBlock requires custom filters, and Tweeks (YC W25) is early-stage with narrow coverage. This extension covers the full attack surface in one install: Shorts removal on YouTube, dark-pattern suppression (cookie walls, overlays, manipulative flow steps, fake urgency timers) across the top 1000 sites, and a per-site control panel so users can tune what gets stripped.

Demand Breakdown

HN
861

Gap Assessment

CompetitiveMultiple tools exist but differentiation opportunities remain

4 tools exist (uBlock Origin, Ghostery, Tweeks, FocusTube) but gaps remain: No out-of-the-box Shorts removal; dark-pattern suppression requires manual filter authoring; zero onboarding for non-technical users; open source with no revenue model; No YouTube Shorts removal; no targeted dark-pattern suppression (fake urgency timers, manipulative flow steps); no per-site content control panel.

Features6 agent-ready prompts

YouTube Shorts removal
Cookie and consent banner auto-dismiss
Fake urgency and dark-pattern suppression
Per-site control panel
Filter list auto-update mechanism
Subscription and license gate

Competitive LandscapeFREE

ProductDoesMissing
uBlock OriginCosmetic ad and tracker blocking via filter lists; can hide Shorts with custom user filters; 65k GitHub stars, massive install baseNo out-of-the-box Shorts removal; dark-pattern suppression requires manual filter authoring; zero onboarding for non-technical users; open source with no revenue model
GhosteryAd and tracker blocking, some anti-popup features; large install base; free model funded by community contributionsNo YouTube Shorts removal; no targeted dark-pattern suppression (fake urgency timers, manipulative flow steps); no per-site content control panel
TweeksYC W25 browser extension to remove cookie banners, popups, AI overviews, and feed clutter from websites; strong HN launch validation (351 pts / 212 comments)Early-stage and limited coverage depth; no dedicated YouTube Shorts suppression; no per-site granular control panel; subscription model not yet established
FocusTubeHides YouTube Shorts, recommendations, and autoplay; approximately 50k installsYouTube-only; zero coverage of dark patterns, cookie walls, or popups on other sites; no per-site control; no monetization layer

Leads272BUILDER

@youz
@lurk2
@DoktorDelta
@skaul
@binaryturtle
@wvenable
@sandblast
@rkomorn
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