By default, other people can see which channels you’re subscribed to on your public YouTube profile. If you’d rather keep that private, there’s a real, simple setting for it.
How to Make Your Subscriptions Private
- Sign in to YouTube and click your profile icon.
- Go to Settings > Privacy.
- Turn on Keep all my subscriptions private.
Once enabled, your list of subscribed channels is hidden from your public channel page — other people can no longer browse who you follow.
What This Doesn’t Affect
- You’ll still receive notifications and see new content from channels you subscribe to as normal.
- Channel owners can still see that you’re subscribed (in aggregate subscriber counts), just not listed publicly by name.
- This is separate from your watch history and liked videos privacy, which have their own separate settings.
Why People Use This Setting
Common reasons include not wanting competitors, coworkers, or acquaintances to see niche interests, or simply preferring to keep browsing habits private in general.
Related: See how to make liked videos private and can you hide the view count.
nnFAQ
Will hiding my subscriptions affect my notifications?
No, you’ll still get notifications and see content from channels you subscribe to as normal.
Can channel owners still see I’m subscribed?
Yes, in aggregate subscriber counts, just not listed publicly by name.