Steam games are normally tagged to certain categories based on their genre. One video game like Grand Theft Auto V might be described as open-world, action, multiplayer, etc. Tags would be helpful if you like the game so the Steam algorithm may recommend you other games with similar tags.
Or, you could block them so any games that featuring the blocked tags won’t be seen on your Steam account. This is especially helpful for narrowing the scope of games you want to play or avoid. Here’s how you can block tags on Steam.
1. Launch Steam website or client and log in with your account.
2. Go to your profile and select Preferences.
3. Under the ‘Tags to Exclude’ section, type and select tags you want to block.
4. The excluded tags will be applied automatically. You can add up to ten different tags.
In the example above, I blocked three tags based on the horror genre. Any games marked as ‘horror’ will not be shown on the Steam recommendation list. Beyond that, it also will hide horror games even when I’m trying to find them using its search feature.
Check out the screenshots below. Notice that many, if not, all relevant results are gone.
Typing the game title won’t even return you to the exact result, at least when using the Steam search feature. The games are not blocked but hidden. You can still found them on Steam by going to Google first (game title + Steam). Regardless, it’s still a fantastic feature to keep the showcased game on the platform relevant to genres you love.
Table of Contents
Advanced Tips for Managing Steam Tags
Refine Your Recommendations
While blocking tags is an effective way to filter out unwanted genres, you can further refine your recommendations by using the “Not Interested” feature. When you come across a game that doesn’t align with your preferences, click the “Not Interested” button. This action will teach Steam’s algorithm to avoid similar games in future suggestions.
Utilize the Interactive Recommender
Steam’s Interactive Recommender allows you to fine-tune your preferences based on playtime and genre. Access it from the Discovery Queue or the Store menu, and adjust the sliders to focus on recent releases or niche titles. This tool complements tag exclusions by offering personalized suggestions.
Customize Your Storefront
In addition to excluding tags, you can customize your storefront to prioritize specific categories. Scroll to the bottom of the Store Preferences page and adjust the visibility of featured sections like “Top Sellers” or “New Releases.” This ensures that only relevant content appears on your homepage.
Manage Tags Beyond Exclusions
If you find certain tags too broad or misused (e.g., “Simulation”), consider using browser extensions like Augmented Steam. These extensions allow you to hide tags or games directly on the Steam store interface, giving you more control over your browsing experience.
Keep Your Preferences Updated
As your gaming interests evolve, revisit the Preferences page periodically to update your excluded tags. Removing outdated exclusions or adding new ones ensures that Steam continues recommending games aligned with your current tastes.
By combining these strategies with tag exclusions, you can create a highly tailored Steam experience that showcases only the games you truly want to see. For more advanced tools, explore community resources like Augmented Steam or check out guides on optimizing your Steam library.
