Common Questions

Q: Why manual install?
A: Great question! YouTube has strict policies on content blockers. Manual install lets us stay 100% transparent and avoid any risk of being taken down. Plus, it's actually super easy - just 2 minutes! 🛠️

Q: How does multi-language blocking work?
A: We use Unicode normalization and language-agnostic pattern matching. So when you type "movie|فيلم|फिल्म|সিনেমা", Clify blocks content in English, Arabic, Hindi, and Bengali simultaneously. Magic! ✨

Q: Is it really free forever?
A: YES! No premium tiers, no subscriptions, no tracking. We believe digital wellness shouldn't be a luxury. If you want to support us, star on GitHub or contribute translations! ❤️

Q: Firefox support?
A: Coming Q3 2026! We're working on it. Follow us on GitHub to track progress. 🔥

Q: How much time can I actually save with Clify?
A: Our users report saving 5-10 hours per week on average! One user told us: "I didn't realize how much time I was wasting on Shorts until they were gone. Now I actually watch what I intended to watch." The dashboard shows you exactly how many distractions you've blocked - it's surprisingly motivating! ⏱️

Q: Does Clify work on YouTube Music or YouTube Kids?
A: Currently optimized for main YouTube (youtube.com). YouTube Music works but some features may be limited. YouTube Kids isn't supported yet - we're looking into it! 🎵

Q: Can I whitelist certain channels or videos?
A: Yes! You can add exceptions to your keyword blocks. For example, if you block "cooking" but love a specific cooking channel, you can whitelist it. Advanced users can use regex patterns for precise control. 🍳

Q: Will Clify affect my YouTube recommendations algorithm?
A: Great question! YouTube's algorithm learns from what you watch AND what you don't watch. By hiding videos, you're actually training YouTube to show you better content. Users report their recommendations improve within 1-2 weeks! 📈

Q: How do I backup my blocked videos list?
A: Use the Export button in the dashboard! It downloads a JSON file with your entire block history. You can import it later if you switch browsers or reinstall. Perfect for power users who want to analyze their viewing habits. 💾

Q: What happens when YouTube changes their layout?
A: We actively monitor YouTube updates. Our community usually reports changes within hours, and we push fixes quickly. The open source nature means anyone can contribute fixes too! Last major YouTube update? Fixed in under 48 hours. ⚡

Q: Can I use Clify on multiple devices?
A: Yes! Install it on all your Chromium browsers. Settings are stored locally on each device (for privacy), but you can manually export/import settings to sync across devices. Cloud sync (optional, encrypted) is on our roadmap for Q3 2026! ☁️

Q: What's the most unusual keyword someone has blocked?
A: A user from Brazil told us they block "receita federal" (Brazilian IRS) because videos about taxes were stressing them out. Another user blocks "ASMR" because it gives them anxiety. Clify is personal - block whatever distracts YOU! 😄

Q: How do you make money if it's free?
A: We don't! This is a passion project. Server costs for the website are about $20/month - I pay it happily. If you want to support, star us on GitHub, contribute translations, or just tell a friend. That's more valuable than money! 💝

Q: What's the funniest bug you've fixed?
A: Early version accidentally blocked videos with "shorts" in the TITLE (like clothing videos). Someone blocked a fashion tutorial and emailed us confused. Now we're more careful! 😂 We've come a long way since then.

Q: Can I contribute even if I don't code?
A: ABSOLUTELY! We need:

• Translators (40+ languages, always adding more)

• Testers (try beta features, report bugs)

• Documentation writers

• GitHub issue triagers

• Community moderators

• Spread the word!
  Join our Telegram group to help! 🤝

Q: What's the most requested feature?
A: Firefox support (coming Q3 2026!) and channel-based blocking (you can already do this with keywords like "channel:name" but we're making it easier). What feature do YOU want? Tell us! 🗳️

Q: Is there a limit to how many keywords I can add?
A: Technically no, but performance testing shows 5000+ keywords work fine. If you have more than that, you might need to optimize! Some power users have 2000+ keywords across multiple languages. Go wild! 🔑

Q: Does Clify work on embedded YouTube videos?
A: Yes! The "Hide" button appears on embedded videos too. Great for cleaning up news sites, blogs, and forums that embed distracting YouTube content. 🌐

Q: How do I report a video that wasn't blocked but should have been?
A: Click the "Hide" button manually - that video will be added to your block list. Then check your keywords - maybe you need to add a new one. The dashboard shows you why each video was blocked, so you can refine your filters. 🎯