BlockYT for Safari vs Customize Search Engine
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
BlockYT for Safari
This Safari extension helps you focus by blocking distractions on the YouTube website. It removes recommendations, Shorts, and comments, allowing for a more focused viewing experience. Advertisements are not blocked.
- Block YouTube recommendations
- Hide YouTube Shorts
- Disable YouTube comments
- Safari extension for iOS and macOS
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BlockYT is a Safari extension for iPhone, iPad and Mac that lets you block recommendations and distractions on the YouTube website. Blocks: • Recommendations, to avoid distraction • Shorts, to maintain sanity • Comments, to form your own opinions Doesn’t block advertisements!
Customize Search Engine
This Safari extension lets you customize your default search engine and settings. Easily switch between preferred search engines, including AI assistants, and modify options like hiding AI Overviews or changing language. It offers quick search shortcuts and emoji search functionality.
- Customize default search engine
- Use custom search engines in Private Browse
- Quick search with keywords
- Emoji search on Emojipedia
- Switch search engines by shortcuts
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Safari Extension to customize your search engine. This extension allows you to use your preferred search engines, such as non-default search engines or AI assistants. You can also use it to change search engine settings, for example, by hiding AI Overviews or changing language settings. ### Features ### --- Customize your Search Engine Change Safari's default search engine. --- CSE for Private Browse Switch search engines in Private Browse. --- Quick Search Enter the keyword to switch search engines. Example: - Search "br something" to search in Brave Search - Search "wiki Safari" to find Safari on Wikipedia - Search "yt Me at the zoo" to find the oldest videos on YouTube - Search "wbm example.com" to see past versions of the website --- Emoji Search If you enter only one emoji, you can search it on Emojipedia.org. --- Switch Search Engines by Shortcuts and Focus You can use a different custom search engine or disable CSE while at work, school, etc.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Customize Search Engine at Free against BlockYT for Safari's $2.99. Customize Search Engine also leads on rating (4.4 vs 4.0) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 2 months). BlockYT for Safari's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Customize Search Engine is free to download; BlockYT for Safari costs $2.99 up front. Customize Search Engine sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. BlockYT for Safari asks for nothing beyond the download.
Customize Search Engine holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 36 and 66 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of BlockYT for Safari's written reviews are positive against 77% of Customize Search Engine's.
BlockYT for Safari ships an update every 2 months, Customize Search Engine every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | BlockYT for Safari | Customize Search Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.0 (36 ratings) | 4.4 (66 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 72.6% of reviews | 77.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 36 | 66 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 37 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Nikita Kukushkin | Cizzuk Shihu |
Customer experience
BlockYT for Safari
Customize Search Engine
User reviews
BlockYT for Safari
From 36 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- ✅ Effectively blocks YT Shorts
- ⏱️ Saves significant time
- 🎯 Helps with focus and reduces distractions
- 👍 Works perfectly on Safari
- 💰 Good value for money
Room to improve
- 🐛 Doesn't always block Shorts completely
- 🐛 Comments section blocking is inconsistent
- 🐛 Unstable on macOS Safari
- 🐛 Blocks all videos on the main feed for some users
- 🐛 Doesn't work in the YouTube app
Customize Search Engine
From 66 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Blocks Google AI overviews
- 👍 Enables custom search engines
- 👍 Works on iPhone, Mac, iPad
- 👍 Seamless integration with Safari
- 👍 Free and no ads
Room to improve
- 🐛 Inconsistent performance
- 🐛 Setup can be difficult
- 🐛 Causes rapid redirects/CAPTCHAs
- 🐛 Redirect screen displayed
- 🐛 App crashes on export
Bugs and requests
BlockYT for Safari
Reported bugs
17 issues- Shorts still appear in the side menu
- YouTube won't open or parts of the screen won't open on macOS Safari
- Not a single short is blocked for some users
- Comment sections are not blocked
- Shorts are not blocked from the search history or homepage
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- Blocks all videos on the main feed, but shorts still show up
- Doesn't block shorts anymore
- No option to block shorts
- YouTube sees the extension and stops video play
- Hiding comments doesn't work
- No option to hide views and likes
- Currently not blocking all shorts
- Shorts blocking on iOS can break the site (search, channel navigation)
- Can't see account profile pic
- Doesn't work after installation and activation
- Doesn't block short videos on the home page, comments on shorts, or recommendations when searching
- Getting YouTube ad block warning
Requested features
7 requests- Option to select specific YouTube channels to block
- Ability to lock the app with a PIN or passcode
- Feature to block Instagram Reels and Explore Page
- More customizability options (e.g., Home Feed, Video Sidebar, Subscriptions, Video Info)
- Option to replace blocked content with custom text, icon, or image
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- App for Reddit
- More sites supported
Customize Search Engine
Reported bugs
8 issues- App crashes during export settings
- Inconsistent search results
- Safari freezes when using Brave Search
- Unremovable 'Open in the Google app' banner
- Rapid redirecting causing CAPTCHA issues
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- Block page sometimes stuck or slow
- Doesn't work on iOS
- Doesn't work at all
Requested features
4 requests- Add Ecosia as an option
- Support full-width space in quick search
- Sync settings between devices
- Improve redirect screen simplicity
In-app purchases
BlockYT for Safari
No in-app purchases
Customize Search Engine
- Change App icon$0.99
Questions
Is BlockYT for Safari free?
Is Customize Search Engine free?
Which has better reviews, BlockYT for Safari or Customize Search Engine?
Do BlockYT for Safari or Customize Search Engine have ads?
Which is updated more often, BlockYT for Safari or Customize Search Engine?
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