Bulk Unsubscribe from YouTube Channels Using JavaScript

Overview

If you've subscribed to many YouTube channels over time, bulk unsubscribing from channels can be time-consuming. This guide provides a JavaScript script to automate the bulk unsubscribe process directly from your browser's developer console. This script iterates through your subscriptions and automatically clicks the unsubscribe button on each channel.

Requirements

• A modern web browser (e.g., Chrome or Firefox)
• Basic knowledge of accessing and using the browser’s Developer Tools Console

Disclaimer

Use this script responsibly, as bulk actions may lead to unexpected interactions with YouTube. Also, be aware that YouTube may limit certain automated actions or trigger temporary restrictions on your account.

Script Overview

Key Features

• Automated Unsubscribing: The script locates each channel in your subscription list and unsubscribes one by one.
• Delay Function: A delay timer between each unsubscribe action allows YouTube to process each request sequentially, reducing the likelihood of account restrictions.
• Interrupt Capability: An abort controller is added to safely stop the script in case you change your mind or encounter an error.

Code

Copy the following code into your browser's Developer Console to run the bulk unsubscribe operation:

const controller = new AbortController();
const signal = controller.signal;

(async function iife() {
    try {
        var UNSUBSCRIBE_DELAY_TIME = 2000; // Adjust delay as needed
        var runAfterDelay = (fn, delay) => new Promise((resolve) => {
            setTimeout(() => {
                if (!signal.aborted) fn();
                resolve();
            }, delay);
        });

        var channels = Array.from(document.getElementsByTagName(`ytd-channel-renderer`));
        console.log(`${channels.length} channels found.`);
        var ctr = 0;

        for (const channel of channels) {
            if (signal.aborted) break; // Stop loop if signal is aborted
            const unsubscribeButton = channel.querySelector(`[aria-label^='Unsubscribe from']`);
            if (unsubscribeButton) {
                unsubscribeButton.click();
                await runAfterDelay(() => {
                    const dialogContainer = document.getElementsByTagName(`yt-confirm-dialog-renderer`)[0];
                    if (dialogContainer) {
                        const confirmButton = dialogContainer.querySelector(`[aria-label^='Unsubscribe']`);
                        if (confirmButton) {
                            confirmButton.click();
                            console.log(`Unsubscribed ${ctr + 1}/${channels.length}`);
                            ctr++;
                        } else {
                            console.error("Confirm button not found.");
                        }
                    } else {
                        console.error("Dialog container not found.");
                    }
                }, UNSUBSCRIBE_DELAY_TIME);
            } else {
                console.error("Unsubscribe button not found for a channel.");
            }
        }
    } catch (e) {
        if (signal.aborted) {
            console.log("Script aborted.");
        } else {
            console.error(e);
        }
    }
})();
        

Here is a Demo:

Right click and click "Inspect"

Click on Console:

and then enter the above code in the terminal

How to Stop the Script

This script includes an AbortController for safely stopping execution without closing your browser tab. To stop the script, type the following command into the Developer Console:

controller.abort();        

Usage Instructions

1. Open YouTube Subscriptions Page: Go to YouTube Subscriptions.
2. Access the Developer Console:In Chrome: Press Ctrl + Shift + J (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + Option + J (Mac).In Firefox: Press Ctrl + Shift + K (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + Option + K (Mac).
3. Paste the Script: Copy the entire script and paste it into the console, then hit Enter to start execution.
4. Observe the Output: The console will log the progress, indicating the current channel being unsubscribed.
5. Interrupt If Needed: Type controller.abort(); into the console if you want to stop the script.

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

1. Cannot Read Properties of Null (TypeError): This error occurs when an element is missing. The script now includes checks to handle missing elements, but if the error persists, refresh the page and try again.
2. Unsubscribe Button Not Found: If the unsubscribe button is not found for some channels, YouTube may be dynamically loading these elements. Scroll down on the page to load more channels, then rerun the script.

Error Handling

The script checks for each critical element (unsubscribe button and confirm button) before attempting to interact with them. If any element is missing, an error message will be logged to the console, and the script will continue.

Adjusting the Delay

The UNSUBSCRIBE_DELAY_TIME variable sets the delay (in milliseconds) between each unsubscribe action. You can increase or decrease this value as needed:

var UNSUBSCRIBE_DELAY_TIME = 2000; // Default is 2000ms (2 seconds)        

A longer delay reduces the chance of triggering YouTube’s rate limits, but it will take longer to complete.

Safety and Responsibility

YouTube may restrict accounts that perform rapid bulk actions. Adjust the delay time or take breaks between script executions to avoid triggering restrictions.

Note: This script is intended for educational purposes. Use responsibly and be aware of YouTube’s policies regarding automated actions.

This documentation provides the steps and code necessary for bulk unsubscribing from YouTube channels safely and efficiently, along with options for troubleshooting and stopping the script as needed. Enjoy a cleaner subscription feed!