> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://cotovan.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # How to Remove Filler Words in Riverside (AI + Manual) - URL: https://cotovan.com/post/how-to-remove-filler-words-in-riverside-ai-manual/ - Published: 2026-04-17T00:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-04-17T16:01:58.000Z - Author: Cristi Cotovan - Tags: Riverside.FM Articles Removing filler words — the ums, uhs, and occasional "likes" — is one of the simplest ways to clean up a recording. [Riverside](https://cotovan.com/riverside) does most of it automatically with AI, but there are some nuances worth knowing: which removal method to choose, how to adjust sensitivity, how to remove words that Riverside does not detect, and how to restore anything the AI cuts by mistake. Here is the full workflow. ## Find the Filler Words Tool Open your edit and go to the **AI Tools** panel on the right. Under **Refine content**, you will see **Remove filler words** with a count of detected ums and uhs — in this example, 320 of them. Clicking **Apply** runs a smart, balanced removal: some words are cut, others are muted. ![Riverside AI Tools panel showing Remove filler words section with Cut 320 ums and ahs message and an Apply button](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/04/riverside-ai-tools-remove-filler-words.jpg) The AI Tools panel shows the number of detected filler words and an Apply button for one-click removal. ## Choose Your Removal Method Before clicking Apply, open the dropdown arrow next to Remove filler words to see the three removal options: - **Smart** — a balanced mix of cuts and mutes to preserve natural flow. Probably the safest default. - **Cut** — removes filler words from the timeline entirely, including the video. Faster-paced results, but can introduce jumpy cuts if the speaker moves during the filler word. - **Mute** — silences the audio but leaves the video unchanged. The speaker looks like they briefly close their mouth, but nobody really notices. ![Riverside Removal methods dropdown showing Smart, Cut, and Mute options with descriptions](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/04/riverside-filler-removal-methods-smart-cut-mute.jpg) Three removal methods: Smart (balanced), Cut (removes entirely), Mute (silences audio only). For long-form podcast episodes, I usually prefer **Mute**. Jumpy cuts are more noticeable than a fraction of a second of silence, and the video stays intact. For short-form social media clips where pacing matters more, **Cut** can be fine. ## Adjust the Sensitivity Below the removal method, there is a **Sensitivity** slider. Move it all the way to the right — labeled **"All disfluencies"** — to get the most aggressive removal. The further left you slide, the more it focuses on longer, obvious filler words and leaves short ones alone. ![Riverside Remove filler words panel showing sensitivity slider set to maximum All disfluencies level](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/04/riverside-filler-sensitivity-slider.jpg) Slide the sensitivity all the way right to catch all disfluencies, or leave it lower to only catch longer filler words. ## What You See After Applying Once you click Apply, filler words in the transcript appear grayed out. If you muted them, they stay visible in the transcript but do not play audibly. If you cut them, they disappear unless you turn on **Show deleted parts** — then they come back crossed out to indicate they are removed from playback. ![Riverside editor transcript showing filler words grayed out after the Remove filler words AI tool was applied with Mute method](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/04/riverside-transcript-filler-words-grayed.jpg) After applying with Mute, filler words remain in the transcript but are silenced on playback. ## Remove Words Riverside Does Not Detect Right now, Riverside's AI focuses primarily on ums and uhs. If your speaker says **"like"**, **"so"**, or repeats words often, those will not be caught automatically. To remove them manually, use the search feature. Press **Cmd+F** (Mac) or **Ctrl+F** (Windows) to open the search bar at the top. Type the filler word — for example, **"like,"** with a comma, since transcripts often put a comma after filler words. Use the up and down arrows to navigate between matches. ![Riverside transcript search bar with Like comma typed showing 1 of 15 matches highlighted in the transcript](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/04/riverside-search-filler-word-like.jpg) Search for specific filler words with a trailing comma to find instances that Riverside's AI does not catch automatically. ### Mute or Delete Individual Words Click on a highlighted match to select it. An editing toolbar appears with options to **Mute**, **Delete**, **Add**, **Correct**, or **VideoDub** the word. Choose Delete to cut it out, or Mute to silence it. ![Riverside editor showing the word-level editing toolbar with Add, Correct, VideoDub, Mute, and Delete options for a selected filler word](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/04/riverside-edit-bar-mute-delete.jpg) Selecting a word brings up the editing toolbar — choose Mute or Delete based on your preference. With **Show deleted parts** on, deleted words stay visible but crossed out. Use the down arrow in the search bar to jump to the next match and repeat the process. ![Riverside transcript showing a deleted Like filler word crossed out after manual removal](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/04/riverside-word-deleted-crossed-out.jpg) Deleted words appear crossed out in the transcript when Show deleted parts is enabled. ## Restore Anything the AI Cut by Mistake The AI sometimes cuts words in the wrong place due to alignment issues, or occasionally misfires on a non-filler word. To restore, click on the crossed-out word in the transcript and choose **Restore**, or press **R** on the keyboard. You can do the same thing on the timeline: zoom in with **Cmd/Ctrl + mouse wheel**, click on the removed portion, and press **R**. The waveform shows exactly what was cut, making it easier to target the right spot. ![Riverside timeline zoomed in showing a deleted word on the waveform with a Restore button visible above](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/04/riverside-restore-word-timeline.jpg) Zoom into the timeline to see exactly what was removed and press R to restore any word. ## Recommended Workflow - **Do bulk removals first.** Apply the AI filler word removal at the beginning, before you have watched the episode. Same for bulk pause removal and any other AI cleanup. - **Then watch through** and check each section. Restore anything that got cut incorrectly. - **Finish with manual search-and-replace** for any filler words Riverside does not detect automatically (like, so, repeated words). ## Related Riverside Guides [Master Precision Editing in Riverside: The Complete Guide![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/icon/Cristi-2-31.jpeg)Cristi CotovanCristi Cotovan![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/02/riverside-precision-editing-tutorial-thumbnail.jpg)](https://cotovan.com/post/master-precision-editing-in-riverside-the-complete-guide/) [Remove "Fluff" with Riverside: How to Quickly Cut Unnecessary Parts from RecordingsThis new AI Tool in Riverside allows you to remove behind-the-scenes talk, mistakes and unnecessary segments from your recording.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/icon/Cristi-2-31.jpeg)Cristi CotovanCristi Cotovan![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2025/11/bb631346-689b-4101-8089-db0941024fa1.jpg)](https://cotovan.com/post/clean-riverside-recordings-find-fluff-workflow/) [How to Create Multiple Edits and Exports from One Recording in Riverside![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/icon/Cristi-2-31.jpeg)Cristi CotovanCristi Cotovan![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/04/riverside-multiple-edits-exports-thumbnail.jpg)](https://cotovan.com/post/how-to-create-multiple-exports-from-the-same-edit-in-riverside/) [Dynamic Zoom Edits in Riverside for Polished Podcasts![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/icon/Cristi-2-31.jpeg)Cristi CotovanCristi Cotovan![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/03/riverside-zoom-edits-thumbnail.jpg)](https://cotovan.com/post/dynamic-zoom-edits-riverside-polished-podcasts/) [How to Add Guest Names and Titles in the Riverside Editor After Recording![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/icon/Cristi-2-31.jpeg)Cristi CotovanCristi Cotovan![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/03/riverside-add-guest-names-titles.jpg)](https://cotovan.com/post/how-to-add-guest-names-and-titles-in-the-riverside-editor-after-recording/) If you're eager to learn more about Riverside and wish to have a one-on-one Riverside coaching session, feel free to book a call with me. I'm here to help you with any questions you have and to guide you through the best workflows, tips, workarounds, or just answer any questions you may have! [Book a session ](https://cotovan.com/coaching) ## Free Riverside Tips, Tricks, and Training in Your Inbox I create regular training content on [Riverside.fm](https://cotovan.com/riverside) \- if you're trying to learn the platform, I intend to teach all the ins and outs. Subscribe here and when a new article or video goes live, you'll be the first to know! Subscribe for free Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Once Riverside expands the list of automatically detected filler words, this workflow will get even faster. For now, combining AI bulk removal with search-based manual cleanup gets you to a clean recording with minimal effort.