How to Block Tags in the Steam Store
If you want to stop certain games or game genres from appearing in the Steam store, you can block tags to do it. This guide explains how.
The Steam store has something for everyone, with games covering every genre and platform you can imagine. The disadvantage is choice, with too many games to choose from.
If you want to curate your Steam store experience, you can learn how to block tags in the Steam store. Steam tags categorize games by category, language, and more. For instance, if you want to block strategy games from appearing in the Steam store, you could block the strategy tag to hide them.
If you want to know how to block tags in the Steam store, follow the steps below.
How to Block Tags in the Steam Store on PC or Mac
If you want to purchase Steam games, you’re likely doing so through the Steam client. This application allows you to buy, download, and play Steam games on your PC or Mac. You can configure the Steam store in the client, blocking and unblocking tags you don’t want to see.
You can also make changes to your Steam store preferences on the Steam website. The settings are applied account-wide, so any changes you make to the client or website will apply to the other.
To block and unblock tags in the Steam store on PC or Mac:
- Open the Steam website or client and sign in (if necessary).
- In the Steam app window or on the Steam website, click your account name in the top-right.
- From the drop-down menu, select the Store Preferences or Preferences option.
- Scroll through the Store Content Preferences menu to reach the Tags to Exclude section.
- In the Tags to Exclude box, type in a tag (e.g., strategy or indie) and select it when it appears in the pop-up immediately below.
- Alternatively, type in a tag manually and press the Add button. The item will be saved automatically to your tag exclusion list.
- To remove a previously added tag, press the cross icon next to the tag name to remove it.
How to Perform an Unfiltered Search in the Steam Store
Once you’ve added a tag to your Steam store exclusion list, you won’t be able to see games with that matching tag in your search results. Searches that result in excluded games because of your tag exclusion list will have a warning at the top of the search results.
An example of a Steam store search that excludes search results based on excluded search tags.
You can, however, view an unfiltered search that includes any previously hidden tags. If you need to search for a game that uses a hidden tag but don’t want to remove the tag from your exclusion list, you can temporarily view these excluded games by performing an unfiltered search in the Steam store.
To perform an unfiltered search in the Steam store:
- Open the Steam website or app and sign in.
- In the Steam client, click Store.
- Use the search bar in the Steam store to search for a game. Alternatively, use the excluded search tag as your search query.
- Steam will provide you with a list of search results but will alert you if any results are excluded. To view the unfiltered search results, click the settings icon at the top of the search results.
- In the pop-up, click View unfiltered search results.
At this point, you should be able to view the unfiltered search results for your search query. Any games that have been excluded based on your tag exclusion list should appear in the results for you to view, purchase, and download.
You’ll need to repeat these steps for further queries that include games that use excluded search tags.
Configuring Your Steam Settings
Using the steps above, you can block tags in the Steam store. This will let you configure the Steam store to hide certain games and genres from view.
If you want to curate your Steam store, you might want to consider setting up a Steam wishlist. This will let you keep track of games you want to buy, including when they appear in the Steam sale. You can share your wishlist with other users, too.
If you’re a heavy user of Steam and download many games, you might want to speed up your Steam downloads.
Want to improve your privacy on Steam? You can appear offline on Steam to hide when you’re playing games. You might also consider hiding your Steam game activity to stop others from viewing your playing times and in-game achievements.
