How to Stop Playing Suggested Songs on Spotify? The Definitive Guide

So, you’re tired of Spotify hijacking your meticulously curated playlists with its suggested tracks? You’re not alone. That feeling of musical autonomy slipping away as algorithm-driven suggestions infiltrate your listening experience is a common frustration. The good news is, regaining control is entirely possible, though the method depends on the Spotify version you’re using and what type of “suggestions” are bothering you.

Here’s the straightforward answer: You can stop Spotify from automatically playing suggested songs by turning off the “Autoplay” or “Autoplay Similar Songs” feature. The exact wording and location of this setting vary slightly depending on your device (desktop, mobile), but the principle remains the same: disabling this feature prevents Spotify from automatically adding songs to the end of your playlist or queue once it reaches the last song you initially selected. Now, let’s delve into the specifics, because the devil, as they say, is in the details.

Understanding Spotify’s “Suggestions”

Before we dive into the solutions, let’s clarify what we mean by “suggestions.” Spotify employs a few different methods for introducing new music to your ears, and each requires a slightly different approach to disable:

• Autoplay/Autoplay Similar Songs: This feature adds songs similar to what you’ve already been listening to once your playlist or album ends.
• Enhanced Playlists: These playlists, often created by Spotify’s algorithms, integrate suggested songs directly within the existing playlist.
• Radio: Starting a “Radio” based on a song or artist automatically generates a playlist of similar tracks. This is generally easier to control because it’s a distinct mode.

Disabling Autoplay/Autoplay Similar Songs on Different Devices

Spotify Desktop App

This is usually the easiest place to make the change. Here’s how:

1. Open the Spotify desktop application.
2. Click on your profile picture in the top right corner.
3. Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
4. Scroll down until you find the Autoplay (or Autoplay Similar Songs) toggle.
5. Toggle it OFF (greyed out). This is the most common solution!

Spotify Mobile App (Android & iOS)

The mobile app instructions are very similar, though the interface differs slightly:

1. Open the Spotify mobile app.
2. Tap on your profile picture in the top left corner.
3. Scroll down to Settings and tap it.
4. Look for Autoplay. It might be under the “Playback” section.
5. Toggle it OFF.

Dealing with Enhanced Playlists

Enhanced playlists are a bit trickier because the suggestions are integrated into the playlist itself. There’s no single “off switch” for suggestions within an enhanced playlist. Your options include:

• Removing Suggested Songs Manually: Simply delete the unwanted tracks from the playlist. This is tedious but effective for playlists you want to keep.
• Creating Your Own Playlists: Start from scratch and add only the songs you want. This gives you complete control.
• Using Older Versions (Not Recommended): Some users have reported that older versions of Spotify offer more granular control over suggestions. However, using outdated software can pose security risks, so proceed with extreme caution and only if you’re comfortable with the technical aspects and potential vulnerabilities. It is generally recommended to keep up with the updates.

Managing Radio Sessions

Radio sessions are generally less intrusive since they are explicitly initiated by the user. To avoid unwanted songs, simply end the radio session when you’re done by:

• Stopping the playback of the radio playlist.
• Closing the radio playlist and returning to your own music library.

Beyond the Basics: Further Customization

While disabling Autoplay is the primary method, there are other ways to refine your Spotify experience and minimize unwanted suggestions:

• Use the “Dislike” Button: Actively dislike songs that you don’t want to hear. This signals to the algorithm that it’s heading in the wrong direction.
• Create Collaborative Playlists: Collaborate with friends who have similar tastes. This can expand your musical horizons while maintaining a degree of control.
• Explore Spotify’s “Taste Match” Feature: This feature connects you with other users who have similar musical tastes, potentially leading to better curated playlists.

By understanding how Spotify delivers suggestions and utilizing these methods, you can regain control of your listening experience and banish those unwanted tracks to the digital abyss.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why does Spotify keep playing songs I don’t like?

Spotify’s algorithms rely on your listening history to predict what you’ll enjoy. If you’ve listened to similar genres or artists in the past, even accidentally, it might suggest songs that don’t quite align with your current preferences. Actively disliking songs and refining your listening habits will help improve the algorithm’s accuracy.

2. Does disabling Autoplay affect all devices?

No. The Autoplay setting is typically device-specific. You’ll need to disable it separately on your desktop app, mobile app (Android & iOS), and any other devices where you use Spotify.

3. I disabled Autoplay, but Spotify still plays suggested songs. What’s happening?

Double-check that you’ve disabled Autoplay on all your devices. Also, ensure you’re not using an “Enhanced Playlist” which integrates suggestions directly. Finally, you might be listening to a “Radio” session without realizing it.

4. How can I tell if a playlist is an “Enhanced Playlist”?

Spotify often indicates enhanced playlists with a special icon or label. They might also have a “Suggest Similar Songs” button within the playlist itself, which, if active, is contributing to the “enhanced” nature of the playlist.

5. Can I completely turn off all algorithmic suggestions on Spotify?

Unfortunately, no. Spotify is fundamentally designed to introduce you to new music. While you can significantly reduce unwanted suggestions by disabling Autoplay and actively managing your listening habits, you can’t eliminate them entirely.

6. Does Spotify Premium offer more control over suggestions?

No, Spotify Premium doesn’t offer any additional features for controlling or disabling suggestions compared to the free version. The core settings remain the same.

7. I accidentally clicked “Suggest Similar Songs” on a playlist. How do I undo that?

Look for the “Suggest Similar Songs” button again within the playlist. Tapping it should toggle it off, preventing Spotify from adding further suggestions to that specific playlist. You may have to remove existing suggested songs manually.

8. Will disliking songs affect my Discover Weekly playlist?

Yes, disliking songs will influence your Discover Weekly playlist. The algorithm uses your “dislikes” as negative feedback, helping it refine its suggestions for future playlists.

9. How often does Spotify update its algorithm for music suggestions?

Spotify’s algorithm is constantly evolving and being updated based on user data and machine learning. There’s no fixed schedule for these updates, but they are ongoing and frequent.

10. Can I reset my Spotify listening history to start fresh with suggestions?

Yes! Under the settings, you’ll find an option to clear your listening history and start over. This is useful when you want to refresh the suggestions after listening to something way different.

11. What’s the difference between “Autoplay” and “Crossfade”?

“Autoplay” adds similar songs after your playlist ends. “Crossfade” smoothly transitions between songs without silence. They are completely independent features.

12. I’m using Spotify Connect on my smart speaker. How do I disable Autoplay there?

The easiest way to disable Autoplay on a smart speaker using Spotify Connect is to control the playback and Autoplay settings directly from the Spotify app on your phone or tablet, which is connected to the speaker. The changes made in the app will be applied to the speaker’s playback.