diff --git a/__tests__/reels/reels-action.test.ts b/__tests__/reels/reels-action.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0b662709
--- /dev/null
+++ b/__tests__/reels/reels-action.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+import { beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+
+const getMock = vi.hoisted(() => vi.fn());
+const patchMock = vi.hoisted(() => vi.fn());
+
+vi.mock("@/lib/config/axios.config", () => ({
+  default: { get: getMock, patch: patchMock },
+}));
+
+import { fetchReels, updateReelVisibility } from "@/lib/actions/reels-action";
+
+describe("reel visibility moderation", () => {
+  beforeEach(() => vi.clearAllMocks());
+
+  it("excludes hidden reels from the default learner-facing feed", async () => {
+    getMock.mockResolvedValue({
+      data: {
+        success: true,
+        reels: [{ id: "visible" }, { id: "hidden", isHidden: true }],
+      },
+    });
+
+    const result = await fetchReels();
+
+    expect(result.reels).toEqual([{ id: "visible" }]);
+    expect(getMock).toHaveBeenCalledWith("/api/reels", {
+      params: { page: 1, limit: 10 },
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("allows an admin consumer to request hidden reels", async () => {
+    getMock.mockResolvedValue({ data: { success: true, reels: [{ id: "hidden", isHidden: true }] } });
+
+    const result = await fetchReels({ includeHidden: true });
+
+    expect(result.reels).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(getMock).toHaveBeenCalledWith("/api/reels", {
+      params: { page: 1, limit: 10, includeHidden: true },
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("sends the reason category and note when hiding a reel", async () => {
+    patchMock.mockResolvedValue({ data: { success: true } });
+
+    await updateReelVisibility("reel-101", {
+      hidden: true,
+      reasonCategory: "policy_violation",
+      reasonNote: "Repeatedly violates the community rules.",
+    });
+
+    expect(patchMock).toHaveBeenCalledWith("/api/admin/reels/reel-101/visibility", {
+      hidden: true,
+      reasonCategory: "policy_violation",
+      reasonNote: "Repeatedly violates the community rules.",
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("requires a category and note before hiding a reel", async () => {
+    await expect(updateReelVisibility("reel-101", { hidden: true })).rejects.toThrow(
+      "reason category and moderation note"
+    );
+    expect(patchMock).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/app/[locale]/admin/reels/page.jsx b/app/[locale]/admin/reels/page.jsx
index 8626ca89..1b0cf002 100644
--- a/app/[locale]/admin/reels/page.jsx
+++ b/app/[locale]/admin/reels/page.jsx
@@ -43,8 +43,11 @@ import {
   AlertTriangle,
   CheckCircle2,
   Filter,
+  EyeOff,
 } from "lucide-react";
 import { CreatorReelsControlDialog } from "@/components/admin/CreatorReelsControlDialog";
+import { ReelVisibilityDialog } from "@/components/admin/ReelVisibilityDialog";
+import { updateReelVisibility } from "@/lib/actions/reels-action";
 import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
 
 const SEED_CREATORS = [
@@ -107,6 +110,9 @@ const SEED_REELS = [
     views: 1200,
     flagsCount: 4,
     status: "paused",
+    isHidden: true,
+    hiddenReasonCategory: "policy_violation",
+    hiddenReasonNote: "Pending moderation review after multiple reports.",
     createdAt: "2026-02-10T14:00:00Z",
   },
   {
@@ -131,6 +137,8 @@ export default function AdminReelsManagementPage() {
   const [selectedCreatorId, setSelectedCreatorId] = useState(creatorQuery || "all");
   const [searchQuery, setSearchQuery] = useState("");
   const [dialogOpen, setDialogOpen] = useState(false);
+  const [visibilityDialogReel, setVisibilityDialogReel] = useState(null);
+  const [visibilitySaving, setVisibilitySaving] = useState(false);
   const [notification, setNotification] = useState(null);
 
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -182,6 +190,51 @@ export default function AdminReelsManagementPage() {
     setTimeout(() => setNotification(null), 5000);
   };
 
+  const handleVisibilityChange = async ({ hidden, reasonCategory, reasonNote }) => {
+    const reel = visibilityDialogReel;
+    if (!reel || visibilitySaving) return;
+
+    const previousReel = reel;
+    const optimisticReel = {
+      ...reel,
+      isHidden: hidden,
+      visibility: hidden ? "hidden" : "visible",
+      ...(hidden
+        ? { hiddenReasonCategory: reasonCategory, hiddenReasonNote: reasonNote }
+        : { hiddenReasonCategory: null, hiddenReasonNote: null }),
+    };
+
+    setVisibilitySaving(true);
+    setReels((previous) => previous.map((item) => item.id === reel.id ? optimisticReel : item));
+    setVisibilityDialogReel(optimisticReel);
+
+    try {
+      const response = await updateReelVisibility(reel.id, {
+        hidden,
+        reasonCategory,
+        reasonNote,
+      });
+      if (response?.success === false) throw new Error(response.message || "Unable to update reel visibility.");
+
+      setNotification({
+        type: "success",
+        message: hidden ? "Reel hidden from learner-facing feeds." : "Reel restored to learner-facing feeds.",
+      });
+      setVisibilityDialogReel(null);
+      setTimeout(() => setNotification(null), 5000);
+    } catch (error) {
+      setReels((previous) => previous.map((item) => item.id === reel.id ? previousReel : item));
+      setVisibilityDialogReel(previousReel);
+      setNotification({
+        type: "error",
+        message: error?.message || "Could not update reel visibility. Your change was reverted.",
+      });
+      setTimeout(() => setNotification(null), 5000);
+    } finally {
+      setVisibilitySaving(false);
+    }
+  };
+
   const filteredReels = useMemo(() => {
     return reels.filter((r) => {
       if (selectedCreatorId !== "all" && r.creatorId !== selectedCreatorId) {
@@ -207,8 +260,8 @@ export default function AdminReelsManagementPage() {
       />
 
       {notification && (
-        <div className="mb-4 flex items-center gap-2 rounded-lg border border-emerald-500/30 bg-emerald-500/10 p-4 text-sm font-medium text-emerald-600 dark:text-emerald-400">
-          <CheckCircle2 className="h-4 w-4 shrink-0" />
+        <div className={cn("mb-4 flex items-center gap-2 rounded-lg border p-4 text-sm font-medium", notification.type === "error" ? "border-destructive/30 bg-destructive/10 text-destructive" : "border-emerald-500/30 bg-emerald-500/10 text-emerald-600 dark:text-emerald-400")}>
+          {notification.type === "error" ? <AlertTriangle className="h-4 w-4 shrink-0" /> : <CheckCircle2 className="h-4 w-4 shrink-0" />}
           <span>{notification.message}</span>
         </div>
       )}
@@ -338,7 +391,7 @@ export default function AdminReelsManagementPage() {
                 </TableRow>
               ) : (
                 filteredReels.map((reel) => (
-                  <TableRow key={reel.id}>
+                  <TableRow key={reel.id} className={reel.isHidden ? "bg-muted/50 opacity-75" : undefined}>
                     <TableCell>
                       <div className="flex flex-col">
                         <span className="font-medium text-foreground">{reel.title}</span>
@@ -373,7 +426,16 @@ export default function AdminReelsManagementPage() {
                       )}
                     </TableCell>
                     <TableCell>
-                      {reel.status === "active" ? (
+                      {reel.isHidden ? (
+                        <div className="space-y-1">
+                          <Badge variant="outline" className="border-destructive/30 bg-destructive/10 text-destructive gap-1">
+                            <EyeOff className="h-3 w-3" /> Hidden by moderation
+                          </Badge>
+                          <p className="max-w-44 truncate text-xs text-muted-foreground" title={reel.hiddenReasonNote}>
+                            {reel.hiddenReasonNote}
+                          </p>
+                        </div>
+                      ) : reel.status === "active" ? (
                         <Badge variant="outline" className="border-emerald-500/30 bg-emerald-500/10 text-emerald-600 dark:text-emerald-400">
                           Active
                         </Badge>
@@ -395,6 +457,14 @@ export default function AdminReelsManagementPage() {
                       >
                         Creator Controls
                       </Button>
+                      <Button
+                        size="sm"
+                        variant={reel.isHidden ? "default" : "destructive"}
+                        onClick={() => setVisibilityDialogReel(reel)}
+                        className="ml-2 text-xs"
+                      >
+                        {reel.isHidden ? "Unhide" : "Hide"}
+                      </Button>
                     </TableCell>
                   </TableRow>
                 ))
@@ -413,6 +483,13 @@ export default function AdminReelsManagementPage() {
         isCurrentlyPaused={activeCreator?.isPaused || false}
         onConfirm={handleBulkCreatorAction}
       />
+      <ReelVisibilityDialog
+        open={Boolean(visibilityDialogReel)}
+        onOpenChange={(open) => !open && setVisibilityDialogReel(null)}
+        reel={visibilityDialogReel}
+        onConfirm={handleVisibilityChange}
+        loading={visibilitySaving}
+      />
     </PageShell>
   );
 }
diff --git a/components/admin/ReelVisibilityDialog.jsx b/components/admin/ReelVisibilityDialog.jsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..02b5e135
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/admin/ReelVisibilityDialog.jsx
@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+"use client";
+
+import { useEffect, useState } from "react";
+import {
+  Dialog,
+  DialogContent,
+  DialogDescription,
+  DialogFooter,
+  DialogHeader,
+  DialogTitle,
+} from "@/components/ui/dialog";
+import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
+import { Label } from "@/components/ui/label";
+import { Textarea } from "@/components/ui/textarea";
+import {
+  Select,
+  SelectContent,
+  SelectItem,
+  SelectTrigger,
+  SelectValue,
+} from "@/components/ui/select";
+import { REJECTION_REASON_CATEGORIES } from "@/lib/actions/admin-verifications";
+
+export function ReelVisibilityDialog({ open, onOpenChange, reel, onConfirm, loading }) {
+  const isHidden = Boolean(reel?.isHidden);
+  const [reasonCategory, setReasonCategory] = useState("");
+  const [reasonNote, setReasonNote] = useState("");
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (open) {
+      setReasonCategory("");
+      setReasonNote("");
+    }
+  }, [open, reel?.id]);
+
+  if (!reel) return null;
+
+  const canSubmit = isHidden || (reasonCategory && reasonNote.trim());
+  const submit = async () => {
+    if (!canSubmit) return;
+    await onConfirm({
+      hidden: !isHidden,
+      ...(isHidden ? {} : { reasonCategory, reasonNote: reasonNote.trim() }),
+    });
+  };
+
+  return (
+    <Dialog open={open} onOpenChange={onOpenChange}>
+      <DialogContent className="max-w-md">
+        <DialogHeader>
+          <DialogTitle>{isHidden ? "Restore reel visibility" : "Hide reel from learners"}</DialogTitle>
+          <DialogDescription>
+            {isHidden
+              ? `Restore “${reel.title}” to learner-facing feeds.`
+              : `Hide “${reel.title}” everywhere learners can discover reels. The reel remains available to administrators.`}
+          </DialogDescription>
+        </DialogHeader>
+
+        {!isHidden && (
+          <div className="space-y-4 py-2">
+            <div className="space-y-2">
+              <Label htmlFor="reel-hide-reason">Reason category</Label>
+              <Select value={reasonCategory} onValueChange={setReasonCategory}>
+                <SelectTrigger id="reel-hide-reason"><SelectValue placeholder="Select a reason category" /></SelectTrigger>
+                <SelectContent>
+                  {REJECTION_REASON_CATEGORIES.map((reason) => (
+                    <SelectItem key={reason.id} value={reason.id}>{reason.label}</SelectItem>
+                  ))}
+                </SelectContent>
+              </Select>
+            </div>
+            <div className="space-y-2">
+              <Label htmlFor="reel-hide-note">Moderation note</Label>
+              <Textarea
+                id="reel-hide-note"
+                value={reasonNote}
+                onChange={(event) => setReasonNote(event.target.value)}
+                placeholder="Explain why this reel is being hidden"
+                required
+              />
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        )}
+
+        <DialogFooter>
+          <Button variant="outline" onClick={() => onOpenChange(false)} disabled={loading}>Cancel</Button>
+          <Button variant={isHidden ? "default" : "destructive"} onClick={submit} disabled={!canSubmit || loading}>
+            {isHidden ? "Unhide reel" : "Hide reel"}
+          </Button>
+        </DialogFooter>
+      </DialogContent>
+    </Dialog>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/components/organisms/reels/ReelFeed.jsx b/components/organisms/reels/ReelFeed.jsx
index da967d9d..d0ff037c 100644
--- a/components/organisms/reels/ReelFeed.jsx
+++ b/components/organisms/reels/ReelFeed.jsx
@@ -44,7 +44,11 @@ const ReelFeedInner = () => {
       try {
         const response = await fetchReels({ page: targetPage, limit: 5 });
         if (response?.success) {
-          const incoming = response.reels || [];
+          // The API normally excludes moderated reels. Keep this guard as a
+          // defence in depth for cached or older API responses.
+          const incoming = (response.reels || []).filter(
+            (reel) => !reel.isHidden && reel.visibility !== "hidden"
+          );
           setReels((prev) => {
             if (!append) return incoming;
             const existing = new Set(prev.map((item) => item.id));
diff --git a/lib/actions/reels-action.ts b/lib/actions/reels-action.ts
index a852dad9..24f476b7 100644
--- a/lib/actions/reels-action.ts
+++ b/lib/actions/reels-action.ts
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ const defaultPagination = {
 export interface FetchReelsParams {
   page?: number;
   limit?: number;
+  /** Admin views include reels hidden by moderation. */
+  includeHidden?: boolean;
 }
 
 export interface FetchReelsResult {
@@ -19,13 +21,24 @@ export interface FetchReelsResult {
   hasMore: boolean;
 }
 
-export const fetchReels = async ({ page, limit }: FetchReelsParams = {}): Promise<FetchReelsResult> => {
+export const fetchReels = async ({ page, limit, includeHidden = false }: FetchReelsParams = {}): Promise<FetchReelsResult> => {
   try {
     const params = {
       page: page ?? defaultPagination.page,
       limit: limit ?? defaultPagination.limit,
+      ...(includeHidden ? { includeHidden: true } : {}),
     };
     const res = await axiosInstance.get("/api/reels", { params });
+    // Do not let a stale cache or an older backend response expose moderated
+    // content on any learner-facing consumer of this shared action.
+    if (!includeHidden && Array.isArray(res.data?.reels)) {
+      return {
+        ...res.data,
+        reels: res.data.reels.filter(
+          (reel: any) => !reel.isHidden && reel.visibility !== "hidden"
+        ),
+      };
+    }
     return res.data;
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Error fetching reels:", error);
@@ -40,6 +53,29 @@ export const fetchReels = async ({ page, limit }: FetchReelsParams = {}): Promis
   }
 };
 
+export interface UpdateReelVisibilityPayload {
+  hidden: boolean;
+  /** Required when hiding; uses the shared moderation reason categories. */
+  reasonCategory?: string;
+  /** Required when hiding so the moderation decision is auditable. */
+  reasonNote?: string;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Hides or restores a reel. The backend preserves the prior publication state
+ * and only removes a hidden reel from learner-facing responses.
+ */
+export const updateReelVisibility = async (
+  reelId: string,
+  payload: UpdateReelVisibilityPayload
+): Promise<any> => {
+  if (payload.hidden && (!payload.reasonCategory || !payload.reasonNote?.trim())) {
+    throw new Error("A reason category and moderation note are required to hide a reel.");
+  }
+  const res = await axiosInstance.patch(`/api/admin/reels/${reelId}/visibility`, payload);
+  return res.data;
+};
+
 export const fetchReelById = async (reelId: string): Promise<any | null> => { // TODO(types): Single reel detail
   try {
     const res = await axiosInstance.get(`/api/reels/${reelId}`);