How to Stop Spotify From Adding Songs to Your Playlist? - Marketing Scoop (2024)

How to Stop Spotify From Adding Songs to Your Playlist: The Ultimate Guide

Introduction

Spotify has revolutionized the way we consume music, offering an extensive library of over 80 million tracks to its 433 million users globally. However, one common complaint among Spotify users is the frustration of having the app automatically add songs to their carefully curated playlists. A recent survey by MusicWatch found that 25% of Spotify users are bothered by this feature.

While Spotify‘s intention with auto-adding songs is to help users discover new music aligned with their tastes, it can disrupt the flow and vibe of a personally crafted playlist. Many users prefer to maintain full control over their musical selections. If you find yourself in this camp, don‘t worry – this comprehensive guide will walk you through multiple solutions to prevent Spotify from adding unwanted songs to your playlists.

Turn off the ‘Autoplay‘ Feature

One of the primary culprits behind Spotify‘s auto-adding of songs is the Autoplay feature. When enabled, Autoplay will continue queuing up similar tracks after your selected music ends, even if those songs are not part of your active playlist.

To disable Autoplay on the desktop app:

1. Click on your profile name in the top-right corner
2. Select "Settings" from the drop-down menu
3. Scroll down to the "Playback" section
4. Toggle off the "Autoplay" option

On mobile:

1. Tap the gear icon to access Settings
2. Tap "Playback"
3. Scroll down and toggle off "Autoplay"

While turning off Autoplay will prevent continuous streaming of similar tracks, it does mean you‘ll have to manually select new music each time your current playlist or album ends. For those who prefer a more lean-back, radio-style listening experience, leaving Autoplay on may be preferable.

Add More Songs to Your Playlist

Another reason Spotify may add songs to your playlist is if it contains fewer than 15 tracks. This is especially common for users on the free, ad-supported tier. To prevent this, ensure your playlists have at least 15 songs.

To quickly beef up a playlist:

1. Click on the playlist to open it
2. Click on the "Add songs" button
3. Browse or search for relevant tracks and click the "+" icon to add them
4. Aim for a minimum of 15, but 20-30 provides a better buffer

If you‘re having trouble finding enough songs to flesh out your playlist, try using Spotify‘s "Recommended Songs" feature. These suggestions are based on the tracks currently in your playlist and your overall listening habits, so they‘re more likely to fit the mood you‘re curating for.

Disable the "Enhance" Option

For Spotify Premium subscribers, the "Enhance" feature can be another source of automatically added songs. When activated, Enhance will insert recommended tracks that match the vibe of your playlist at periodic intervals. While some may enjoy this feature for music discovery, others prefer to keep their playlists purely self-selected.

To turn off Enhance:

1. Open the playlist you want to edit
2. Click or tap the "Enhance" icon at the top of the playlist
3. Deselect the "Enhance" toggle to disable the feature

According to Spotify, the Enhance feature uses a combination of human curation and algorithmic analysis to choose the most relevant tracks to slot into your playlist. Factors considered include the genre, mood, and popularity of the songs in your original playlist, as well as your personal taste profile based on your listening history.

Stop Using Spotify‘s Playlists

One of Spotify‘s strengths is its vast library of pre-made playlists, from algorithm-driven mixes like Daily Mix and Discover Weekly to human-curated offerings for every genre and mood imaginable. However, relying too heavily on these playlists can lead to Spotify automatically adding similar songs to your rotation.

While it‘s tempting to just hit play on a ready-made playlist, creating your own gives you full control over your listening experience. Plus, the process of seeking out and selecting songs to add can be a fun form of self-expression and music discovery in itself.

To create a new playlist:

1. Click "New Playlist" in the left sidebar on desktop, or tap "Your Library" then "Playlists" on mobile
2. Give your playlist a name and click/tap "Create"
3. Use the search bar to find songs, albums, or artists to add, or browse through your library
4. Drag and drop tracks to reorder them for the perfect flow

A 2021 study by Nielsen found that 60% of music listeners prefer making their own playlists rather than relying on streams generated by apps. By putting in the work to create your own musical journey, you not only avoid unwanted additions but also sharpen your curation skills.

Upgrade to Spotify Premium

If you‘re currently using the free version of Spotify, one surefire way to reduce incidents of songs being automatically added to your playlists is by upgrading to Premium. Along with an ad-free listening experience, Premium gives you the ability to play any song on demand, skip tracks unlimited times, and download music for offline playback.

Most importantly for this guide, Spotify Premium removes many of the limitations that lead to songs being automatically added to playlists, such as the 15-song minimum for free users.

Here‘s a breakdown of the key differences between Spotify Free and Premium:

As of Q1 2023, Spotify had 210 million Premium subscribers globally, accounting for nearly half of its total active user base. While the $9.99/month price (or $4.99/month for students) may seem steep, the benefits – especially around playlist control and curation – can be well worth it for avid music fans.

Alternative Solutions

For more advanced users, there are a couple of alternative methods for preventing Spotify from adding songs to your playlists.

One option for Android users is to download a modified version of the Spotify app, often referred to as a "mod APK". These unofficial versions of the app are tweaked by third-party developers to remove certain restrictions, such as the forced addition of songs to playlists. However, using a mod APK comes with risks, as they can potentially contain malware or compromise your Spotify account security.

Another more technical solution is to use Spotify‘s API to extract your playlists and recreate them on another platform, such as Apple Music or YouTube Music. This process involves creating a developer account, generating an API key, and using a tool like Exportify.com to retrieve and convert your playlist data. While it does take some effort, migrating your playlists to another service may be worth it if you‘re deeply frustrated with Spotify‘s auto-adding of songs.

Conclusion

While Spotify‘s auto-add feature can be annoying, this guide has hopefully shown you that there are multiple ways to take back control of your playlists. From simple solutions like turning off Autoplay and Enhance to more involved workarounds like using the API to export your data, you have the power to shape your personal music experience.

As streaming continues to evolve, it‘s likely that services like Spotify will introduce more sophisticated versions of auto-add technology, such as mood-based or context-aware suggestions. Ultimately, striking the right balance between manual curation and algorithmic assistance will be key to a satisfying user experience.

If you‘re still having trouble with Spotify adding unwanted songs to your playlists after trying these methods, be sure to check out the support resources on Spotify‘s website or submit a ticket to their customer service team. With some persistence and know-how, you can reclaim your playlists and enjoy your music, your way.

Related