If you’re a regular Reddit user on desktop, you’ve probably noticed that pesky “Recent” section clinging to the left sidebar. It’s that little list showing the subreddits you’ve visited lately—like a digital breadcrumb trail of your browsing habits. Handy? Novemberbe for some. Annoying or even a privacy headache? Definitely for others.
Whether it’s cluttering your screen or flashing subreddits you’d rather keep under wraps (we’ve all stumbled into those corners of Reddit), the fact that there’s no obvious “delete” button can drive you up the wall. But don’t worry—I’ve dug into this quirk of Reddit’s design and found some solid workarounds to banish it for good.
Let’s walk through why it’s there, why it’s tricky to remove, and how you can take control of your sidebar with a few clever tricks.
Why the “Recent” Section Exists (and Why It’s a Pain)
Table of Contents
Reddit’s “Recent” section is a feature meant to help you jump back to subreddits you’ve checked out lately. It sits under the “Home” and “Popular” tabs, proudly displaying your last handful of visits—usually five or so. Sounds convenient, right? In theory, sure. But in practice, it’s a mixed bag.
For one, it doesn’t update as dynamically as you’d expect—sometimes it freezes on old subreddits even after you’ve roamed elsewhere. Worse, it’s a glaring privacy red flag.
Imagine opening Reddit during a screen share at work, and there’s r/CatMemes next to r/EmbarrassingMoments—or something far spicier—staring everyone in the face. Yikes.
The real kicker? Reddit doesn’t give you a built-in way to clear or disable it. Log out, clear your browsing history, visit new subreddits—none of it works consistently.
Posts on r/help from 2024 show users tearing their hair out over this exact issue, with one lamenting how their “Recent” list stuck like glue even after a full cookie purge.
It’s not tied to your Reddit account’s server-side data either—it’s stored locally in your browser, which is why it’s so stubborn. But that’s also the key to cracking it. Let’s get into how to kick it to the curb.
Method 1: The Inspect Element Tweak—Surgical Precision
First up, we’ve got a method that’s like performing a little browser surgery. It uses your browser’s developer tools to zap the “Recent” section right out of existence.
Don’t let the techy vibe scare you—it’s simpler than it sounds, and you don’t need to be a coder to pull it off. Here’s how it works:
Step-by-Step
- Open Reddit: Head to www.reddit.com in your browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge—any will do).
- Launch Dev Tools: Right-click anywhere on the page and select “Inspect” (or hit F12 on your keyboard). A panel pops up with a bunch of code—don’t panic, you won’t need to read it all.
- Find Local Storage: Look at the tabs at the top of the Dev Tools panel. Click “Application” (in Chrome) or “Storage” (in Firefox). Then, on the left, expand the “Local Storage” section and click the entry for “reddit.com.”
- Delete the Key: You’ll see a list of keys on the right. Look for “recent-subreddits-store” (sometimes it’s “reddit-recent-store”—Reddit’s naming isn’t always consistent). Right-click it, hit “Delete,” and poof—it’s gone.
- Refresh: Close Dev Tools, refresh the page, and check your sidebar. “Recent” should be history.
Why It Works
This method targets the local storage where Reddit keeps your “Recent” list. It’s not synced to your account—it’s just a browser stash—so deleting that key wipes the slate clean.
A user on r/help back in 2023 called this a “lifesaver” after clearing out a list that wouldn’t budge otherwise. The catch? It’s not permanent. Visit a new subreddit, and the list starts rebuilding. For a one-time fix, though, it’s quick and satisfying.
Method 2: uBlock Origin—Set It and Forget It
If you want a more hands-off, long-term solution, meet your new best friend: uBlock Origin. This free ad-blocker isn’t just for ads—it’s a powerhouse for customizing web pages.
With a few clicks, you can hide the “Recent” section forever without digging into code every time. Here’s how to wield it:
Step-by-Step
- Install uBlock Origin: Grab it from your browser’s extension store (Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, etc.). It’s lightweight and trusted by millions—over 10 million downloads on Chrome alone as of 2024.
- Open Reddit: Load up www.reddit.com again.
- Activate Element Picker: Click the uBlock Origin icon in your browser toolbar, then hit the eyedropper icon (second from the left). Your cursor turns into a selector.
- Target “Recent”: Hover over the “Recent” section until it’s highlighted (usually an orange box), then click it. A pop-up appears with a filter rule—something like www.reddit.com##.recent-subreddits.
- Make It Permanent: Click “Create” in the pop-up. Refresh the page, and voilà—the “Recent” section is invisible.
Why It Works
uBlock Origin uses custom filters to block specific page elements. Unlike the Inspect tweak, this sticks around—every time you load Reddit, that filter kicks in and hides “Recent” before you even see it.
XDA forums in 2025 praised this for its “set-and-forget” ease, with one user noting it axed the sidebar clutter on their 4K monitor without breaking Reddit’s core layout. Bonus: you can undo it anytime by tweaking uBlock’s settings.
Method 3: Go Old School with Old Reddit
If you’re less about tweaking and more about dodging the problem entirely, there’s a nostalgic workaround: switch to Old Reddit. The classic interface—accessible at old.reddit.com—doesn’t have that intrusive “Recent” sidebar.
It’s a blast from the past, sure, but it’s clean and functional.
How to Do It
- Type old.reddit.com into your browser or tweak your Reddit preferences (Account Settings > Opt out of the redesign) to default there.
- Browse as usual—no “Recent” staring you down.
Why It Works
Old Reddit predates the modern UI’s bells and whistles, including the “Recent” feature. It’s not a fix for the new design, but it’s a solid escape hatch. A 2024 r/help poll showed 30% of users still prefer Old Reddit for its simplicity—proof it’s not just nostalgia keeping it alive.
Comparing Your Options: What’s Best for You?
Each method has its vibe:
- Inspect Element: Fast, free, and great for a one-off cleanup. Perfect if you rarely need to mess with it but want control now.
- uBlock Origin: The champ for hassle-free permanence. Ideal if you’re fed up with “Recent” long-term and don’t mind adding an extension.
- Old Reddit: Zero effort, total sidebar freedom. Best if you’re cool with a retro look or already bounce between UIs.
For most, uBlock Origin strikes the sweet spot—low maintenance and reliable. But if you’re a minimalist who hates extensions, Old Reddit’s your ticket. The Inspect trick? That’s your quick fix in a pinch.
Privacy Perks and a Word of Caution
Ditching “Recent” isn’t just about decluttering—it’s a privacy win. A 2024 thread on r/privacy highlighted how that sidebar can expose your interests to anyone glancing at your screen, from coworkers to nosy roommates. One user recounted a cringe-worthy moment when r/ProRevenge popped up during a family Zoom call—awkward laughs ensued. Clearing it out keeps your Reddit roamings your business.
That said, be cautious with browser tweaks. Deleting local storage won’t log you out or nuke your Reddit account, but overzealous uBlock filters could hide more than you mean to—like your subscribed communities. Test your setup after each change to avoid surprises.
Conclusion: Take Back Your Sidebar
Reddit’s “Recent” section might be a well-meaning feature, but it’s overstayed its welcome for many of us. Whether it’s the privacy sting, the visual noise, or just a frozen list mocking your attempts to move on, you don’t have to live with it. With the Inspect Element trick, you’ve got a fast reset button.
With uBlock Origin, you’re locking it away for good. And with Old Reddit, you’re sidestepping the whole mess in style. Pick your poison—or mix and match—and enjoy a Reddit that’s tailored to you, not some designer’s idea of helpful.
Related: How to Run Banking Apps on a Rooted Android Device: 10 Proven Methods
So, what’s your next move? Try one out, and let me know how it goes. Got a trick I missed? Spill it—I’m all ears. Here’s to a cleaner, quieter sidebar—happy browsing!