How to Delete Your Shows on Spotify: A Definitive Guide

Want to clean up your Spotify library and get rid of those podcasts you started but never finished, or perhaps that comedy series that just didn’t land? The good news is you absolutely can manage your podcast subscriptions on Spotify. While you can’t technically “delete” shows from Spotify’s platform altogether (as they are part of Spotify’s catalog), you can remove them from your library and prevent them from cluttering your listening experience. Here’s the breakdown on how to do it:

• Removing a Show from Your Library: This is the equivalent of “deleting” a show from your personal Spotify experience. To do this on the desktop or web app, navigate to the podcast’s page. If you are “following” the podcast, you’ll see a green checkmark next to the “Following” button. Simply click this button to unfollow. This removes the show from your library. On the mobile app, the process is similar. Go to the podcast’s page and tap the “Following” button. This will unfollow the show, effectively removing it from your library.

• Removing Downloaded Episodes: If you’ve downloaded episodes of a podcast, you’ll also want to remove those to free up space on your device. On the mobile app, go to the podcast’s page. Look for a download icon (usually a downward-pointing arrow) next to each episode. Tap the icon to remove the download. Alternatively, you can go to your Downloads section within the Spotify app and remove episodes from there.

Understanding the Nuances of Spotify Podcast Management

It’s important to understand that Spotify works with a “following” system for podcasts, rather than a traditional “download” or “own” model. Unfollowing is the key action for managing your podcast library. This prevents new episodes from automatically appearing and keeps your library clean. Think of it as unsubscribing from a newsletter – you’re not deleting the newsletter from existence, just opting out of receiving it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 12 of the most common questions users have about managing podcasts on Spotify, answered with a touch of expertise and a dash of wit.

1. Can I permanently delete a podcast from Spotify entirely?

Unfortunately, no. You can’t delete a show from Spotify’s platform as a whole. Spotify hosts these shows, and removing them entirely would require intervention from Spotify itself. Your control is limited to your own personal library.

2. Will unfollowing a podcast remove past downloaded episodes?

Unfollowing a podcast will not automatically delete the episodes you’ve already downloaded. You need to manually remove downloaded episodes, as explained above.

3. How do I find the “Downloads” section in the Spotify mobile app?

The Downloads section is typically found within your “Your Library” section. Look for a filter or tab labeled “Downloads” or a similar term. The exact location can vary slightly depending on your app version.

4. I unfollowed a show, but it still appears in my “Your Episodes” list. Why?

The “Your Episodes” list often contains episodes you’ve saved individually, even if you’re not following the entire show. To remove the episode, you’ll need to manually unlike or remove it from that specific list.

5. Can I unfollow multiple podcasts at once?

Unfortunately, Spotify doesn’t offer a bulk unfollow option. You need to unfollow each podcast individually. Consider this a good opportunity for a digital decluttering session!

6. If I unfollow a show on my phone, will it unfollow on my desktop app too?

Yes. Spotify syncs across all your devices. Unfollowing a show on one device will reflect the change on all other devices where you’re logged in.

7. Is there a way to hide podcasts I don’t want to see in my recommendations?

Spotify’s recommendation algorithm is constantly learning. While you can’t directly “block” a podcast from appearing in recommendations, consistently unfollowing and skipping episodes from that show will signal to Spotify that you’re not interested. The algorithm should eventually adjust accordingly.

8. I’m a podcast creator. How do I remove my podcast from Spotify?

As a podcast creator, you’ll need to go through your hosting provider (like Libsyn, Anchor, etc.). You typically remove your podcast by disconnecting it from the Spotify distribution channel within your hosting provider’s platform. Contact their support team for specific instructions.

9. What’s the difference between “following” and “saving” an episode?

Following a show means you subscribe to the entire podcast. New episodes will typically appear in your library. Saving an episode means you’re just adding that specific episode to your “Your Episodes” list, without necessarily subscribing to the entire show.

10. I accidentally unfollowed a podcast. How do I find it again?

Use the search function within Spotify. Type the name of the podcast. Once you find it, simply click the “Follow” button to resubscribe.

11. Can I use a third-party app to manage my Spotify podcasts?

While some third-party apps offer Spotify integration, they typically don’t provide more control over podcast management than the native Spotify app itself. Proceed with caution when granting third-party apps access to your Spotify account.

12. Will deleting my Spotify account also delete my podcast listening history?

Yes, deleting your Spotify account will remove all your data associated with that account, including your podcast listening history, followed shows, and saved episodes. This is a permanent action.