8 Tips to Get Rid of Podcasts on Spotify

By Adam Gorden Posted on May 2, 2024

block a podcast on spotify

Many Spotify users enjoy podcasts, but sometimes you may want to declutter your feed or remove podcasts you're no longer interested in. While Spotify offers a plethora of podcasts covering various topics, from true crime to comedy and everything in between, managing your podcast library can become overwhelming. Whether you're looking to streamline your listening experience, focus more on music, or simply remove unwanted recommendations, there are several tips and tricks you can utilize to customize your Spotify account.

In this guide, we'll explore practical strategies to help you declutter your Spotify feed and regain control over your listening preferences. From turning off notifications for podcasts to organizing your podcast library, we'll walk you through step-by-step instructions for each tip. Let's dive in and reclaim your Spotify experience!

Part 1. Can You Block a Podcast on Spotify?

spotify desktop home podcasts

Podcasts seem to be everywhere these days on Spotify. You're scrolling through the app, vibing to your favorite tunes, trying to discover that new artist everyone's been raving about, and suddenly, boom! Podcasts pop up left, right, and center. They infiltrate your Home page like uninvited guests at a party you didn't even know you were hosting. You've got sections like "Episodes for you," "Spotify original podcasts," "Popular with listeners of [Your recently played podcast's name]," and "Shows you might like." It's like sifting through noise to find what you actually want.

Now, you might be thinking, "Can I just block these podcasts and move on?" Unfortunately, no dice. Spotify seems to be all about podcasts these days. But here's the thing - their curated content isn't always a hit. Sometimes, it's totally off-base. Imagine scrolling innocently through podcasts and suddenly stumbling upon something completely unexpected. Yeah, we're talking about NSFW stuff. Not exactly the kind of content you signed up for, right?

So, blocking a podcast isn't just about saying "Thanks, but no thanks" to Spotify's offerings. It's about taking back control of your listening experience, ensuring that what you hear aligns with your interests and values. But here's the rub - Spotify hasn't quite caught up to the idea of letting users block podcasts. So, what's a frustrated listener to do? We've got some tricks to help you clear out those unwanted podcasts. Think of it as a digital cleanup for your listening pleasure. Ready to dive in and take back control? Let's do this.

Part 2. How to Get Rid of Podcast on Spotify

Tip 1: Turn off Notifications for Podcasts

If you're tired of being bombarded with podcast notifications, take control by turning them off. Simply navigate to Settings > Notifications > Podcasts & Show Recommendations and toggle off both "Push" and "Email" notifications. This allows you to focus more on the music or content you truly enjoy and reduces the chances of discovering unwanted podcasts through recommendation algorithms.

On Mobile:

spotify mobile notifications podcast and show recommendations

  1. Open the Spotify mobile app.
  2. Tap on the gear icon (Settings) in the top right corner.
  3. Scroll down and select "Notifications."
  4. Find "Podcasts & Show Recommendations" and tap on it.
  5. Toggle off both "Push" and "Email" notifications for podcasts.

Tip 2: Mark All Episodes As Played

Another way to clear out unwanted podcasts is by marking all episodes as played. This signals to Spotify that you've listened to them and decreases the likelihood of them being pushed to you again. By essentially telling Spotify that you're not interested in that particular podcast or its content, you refine your recommendations and ensure you see more of what you love.

Note: While mobile users can do this easily, desktop users have to mark episodes individually.

Desktop:

spotify desktop podcast episode mark as played

Unfortunately, Spotify does not currently offer a direct option to mark all episodes as played on the desktop app. You'll need to mark each episode individually.

  1. Navigate to the podcast you want to clear by clicking on its name in your library.
  2. Find the episode you want to mark as played and click on the three dots (options menu) next to it.
  3. Select "Mark as Played" from the dropdown menu.

Mobile:

spotify mobile podcast settings mark as played

  1. Open the Spotify mobile app.
  2. Navigate to the podcast you want to mark all episodes as played for.
  3. Tap on the Gear icon (Settings) next to the podcast's name.
  4. Select "Mark as played."
  5. Select "Marked all as played."

Tip 3: Organize Podcasts in My Episodes Tab

Keep your podcast listening organized by saving your favorite podcasts to the "My Episodes" hub within your Library. This way, you can access your podcasts without wading through the clutter of the Home page. However, be aware that doing so may increase recommendations similar to your followed podcasts.

spotify desktop podcast unfollow

  1. Search for the podcast you want to follow using the search bar at the top of the Spotify app or desktop interface.
  2. Once you've found the podcast, click on the name or icon to open its page.
  3. Click the "Follow" button located near the podcast's title to add it to your library.
  4. Access your library and navigate to the "Your Episodes" section to find all your followed podcasts neatly organized.

Tip 4: Use Spicetify

Spicetify is a nifty tool for customizing your Spotify experience. You can utilize Spicetify hide podcasts to block podcasts and audiobooks in certain sections of the app, such as the Home page, "Your Episodes" sidebar, and the "Podcasts" categories card on the Search page. It may sound a bit technical, but trust me, it's worth the effort if you're tired of dodging podcasts left and right. With just a few steps, you can reclaim your Spotify Home page and Search results, ensuring they're filled with content you actually want to see.

  1. Copy the "hidePodcasts.js" file into your Spicetify extensions directory:
    • Linux: ~/.config/spicetify/Extensions or $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/.config/spicetify/Extensions/
    • MacOS: ~/.config/spicetify/Extensions or $SPICETIFY_CONFIG/Extensions
    • Windows: %appdata%/spicetify/Extensions/
  2. After putting the extension file into the correct folder, run the following command to install the extension:

    arduino

    spicetify config extensions hidePodcasts.js

    spicetify apply

    Note: Using the config command to add the extension will always append the file name to the existing extensions list. It does not replace the whole key's value. Alternatively, you can manually edit your "config-xpui.ini" file and add the desired extension filenames in the extensions key, separated by the | character. Example:

    csharp

    [AdditionalOptions]...

    extensions= autoSkipExplicit.js|shuffle+.js|trashbin.js|hidePodcasts.js

    Run spicetify apply to apply the changes.

Tip 5: Turn Off "Allow Explicit Content"

Let's face it - nobody wants to be caught off guard by explicit content, especially when you're trying to vibe to some tunes or catch up on your favorite podcasts. With this setting switched off, you can browse Spotify with peace of mind, knowing you won't encounter anything NSFW.

  1. Head to Settings by clicking on your profile name or tapping the gear icon.
  2. Look for the "Allow Explicit Content" option under "Music & Podcasts Preferences."
  3. Toggle the switch to the off position to filter out explicit content from your podcast recommendations.
turn off explicit on spotify

Tip 6: Turn Off AutoPlay Similar Content

AutoPlay can be a blessing or a curse, depending on your preferences. If you're not a fan of having Spotify dictate your listening experience, it's time to take matters into your own hands. By disabling AutoPlay for similar content, you regain control over what plays next.

  1. Navigate to Settings by clicking on your profile name or tapping the gear icon.
  2. Find the "AutoPlay Similar Content" option under "Playback" or "Music & Podcasts Preferences."
  3. Disable the switch to stop Spotify from automatically playing similar content after your podcast ends.
spotify autoplay

Tip 7: Listen to More Music

Music has a unique way of transporting us to another world, one where podcasts and audiobooks take a backseat. Sometimes, the best way to drown out the noise of podcasts is to immerse yourself in more music. Luckily, Spotify offers a plethora of curated playlists and personalized recommendations. From the ever-popular "Daylist" to the nostalgia-inducing "Your Wrapped" playlist, you can explore new genres, rediscover old favorites, and create the perfect soundtrack for every moment.

Tip 8: Download Music & Podcasts off Spotify

If you prefer to have your music and podcasts at your fingertips, even when offline, downloading them from Spotify is the way to go. With tools like ViWizard Spotify Music Converter, you can easily convert your Spotify tracks, playlists, albums, podcasts, and even audiobooks to MP3s and keep them with you wherever you go. With ViWizard, it's not just a dream—it's a reality.

spotify music converter

Key Features of ViWizard Spotify Music Converter

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* Security verified. 5, 481,347 people have downloaded it.

  • Download Spotify songs, albums, playlists, podcasts, audiobooks
  • Convert Spotify music to lossless MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV, M4A, M4B
  • Support playing offline Spotify music on any device at any time
  • Compatible with Windows and macOS, as well as, the latest Spotify

Step 1Add Music or Podcasts

To get started, after installing ViWizard Spotify Music Downloader on your computer, launch the software. The Spotify app will also open automatically. Now, find the playlist you want to download in your Spotify app. You can simply drag and drop the playlist into the main interface of the ViWizard converter, or you can copy and paste the link of your target Spotify playlist into the search bar, and all music tracks in the playlist will be automatically loaded.

add spotify music

Step 2Configurate Output Parameters

Next, select MP3 as the output format to ensure compatibility with most devices. Click on the menu icon in the upper right corner of the ViWizard software and go to Preferences > Convert. Here, choose MP3 as the output format and set the output quality according to your preferences, such as High 320kbps, Medium 256kbps, or Low 128kbps. You can also customize the conversion speed and output path as desired.

select output format

Step 3Start Converting Music or Podcasts to MP3

With the settings configured, it's time to export the Spotify playlist to MP3. Click on the Convert button located at the bottom right corner of the ViWizard converter, and the program will start to download and convert the Spotify playlist to MP3 format. Once the conversion is completed, you can find all the songs in the Converted folder on your computer.

convert spotify songs

Now, you can enjoy your favorite music from Spotify without any interruptions or unwanted podcast recommendations. With ViWizard Spotify Music Downloader, you have full control over your music library, allowing you to enjoy your favorite tunes hassle-free.

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