How to Block or Unblock Any Artist on Spotify

Streaming platforms are designed to personalize listening. Sometimes that means removing voices you would rather not hear. Spotify offers a built in way to block or unblock artists so your recommendations, playlists, and radio stations stay aligned with your taste. This guide walks through every practical detail, across devices, with clear steps and useful context so the process stays simple.

Understanding Artist Blocking on Spotify

Blocking an artist on Spotify prevents their songs from playing anywhere on your account. That includes playlists, albums, radio, and algorithmic recommendations like Discover Weekly. The feature works at the artist level, not at the song level. Once blocked, Spotify actively filters that artist out of future listening experiences.

Unblocking reverses this instantly.There is no delay and no downside.Your recommendations will gradually adjust as the system relearns your preferences.

This feature is tied to your account, not the device. Changes apply everywhere once saved.

How to Block an Artist on Spotify Mobile App

The Spotify mobile app offers the most direct and widely used method. The steps are the same on iOS and Android.

Step by Step Process

Open the Spotify app and log into your account.
Search for the artist you want to block.
Tap the artist name to open their profile.
Select the three dot menu in the upper right corner.
Select Don’t play this artist.

Once selected, Spotify immediately blocks that artist. You will not hear their music again unless you manually unblock them.

This setting applies across all playlists, even those you did not create.

How to Unblock an Artist on Spotify Mobile App

Unblocking works the same way and only takes a moment.

Open the Spotify app.
Search for the artist you previously blocked.
Open the artist profile.
Tap the three dots.
Select Allow to play this artist.

The change is instant. Their music can now appear in playlists and recommendations again.

Blocking Artists on Spotify Desktop App

The desktop version has fewer controls than the mobile app, but artist blocking is still supported in recent versions.

Steps on Desktop

Open Spotify on Windows or macOS.
Search for the artist.
Open the artist profile.
Click the three dots next to the Follow button.
Choose Don’t play this artist.

If the option does not appear, update the app. Older versions may not display the control.

Can You Block Artists on Spotify Web Player

The Spotify web player currently does not support blocking or unblocking artists directly.If you listen to Spotify in a web browser, you will need to update these settings using the mobile or desktop app.

Once blocked on another device, the restriction still applies when listening through the web player.

How Artist Blocking Affects Playlists

Blocking an artist removes their tracks from all playlists, including curated and algorithm driven lists. This includes:

Discover Weekly
Release Radar
Daily Mixes
Radio stations

Manual playlists you created will also skip those songs automatically. The tracks remain visible in the playlist but will not play.

Collaborative playlists follow the same rule. Even if another user adds the blocked artist, the tracks will not play on your account.

Blocking Artists vs Hiding Songs

Spotify also allows hiding individual songs. This is different from blocking an artist.

Blocking an artist:

Applies to all songs by that artist
Affects recommendations
Works across all playlists

Hiding a song:

Applies to a single track
Does not affect recommendations
Is playlist specific

If your goal is to fully remove an artist from your listening experience, blocking is the correct choice.

Why Spotify Artist Blocking Matters for Recommendations

Spotify’s algorithm relies heavily on listening behavior. Blocking an artist sends a strong negative preference signal. Over time, this helps refine recommendations, especially in genres where artists are closely related.

For users who share accounts or devices, blocking also helps maintain personal taste without constantly skipping tracks.

Managing Multiple Blocked Artists Efficiently

Spotify does not currently offer a central list of blocked artists. To manage multiple blocks:

Keep a short note of blocked artists if you plan to revisit them
Search directly for the artist to unblock
Use mobile app for the most reliable controls

Spotify continues to test improvements in preference management, so this may change in future updates.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Blocked Artist Still Playing

If a blocked artist still plays:

Restart the app
Log out and back in
Check that the block was applied on the correct artist profile
Update Spotify to the latest version

Option Not Showing

If you do not see the block option:

Confirm you are viewing an artist profile, not a playlist or album
Update the app
Switch to the mobile app, which always supports the feature

Spotify Privacy and Artist Blocking

Blocking artists is private. Spotify does not notify the artist and it does not affect public playlists you share. Followers will still see playlists as normal, even if certain tracks do not play on your end.

Helpful Spotify Resources

For official guidance and updates, visit Spotify Help Center for the latest information on account preferences and playback controls.

You can also explore broader platform features through Spotify Support which covers related settings and updates.

Best Practices for a Cleaner Listening Experience

Block artists as soon as you notice repeated skips
Revisit blocks occasionally as tastes change
Combine blocking with liking preferred artists to reinforce recommendations
Keep the app updated to access the latest controls

Spotify’s artist blocking feature is a simple but powerful tool. Used intentionally, it keeps your listening experience focused, personal, and distraction free.