Why you might want to block an artist
Spotify's block feature stops an artist's music from appearing in your recommendations, radio stations, and algorithmic playlists — but not in your own saved songs or when you search for them directly. Blocking is useful when you want to avoid hearing someone's work without deleting it from your library, or when you're tired of an artist appearing constantly in your Discover Weekly or Release Radar. The block persists across all your devices and stays in place until you unblock them.
Blocking is different from straightforward skipping a song. When you skip, Spotify learns you didn't want to hear that particular track. When you block an artist, you're telling Spotify never to suggest their work to you again through its recommendation system. This is permanent until you change it, so use it only for artists you're certain you want to avoid.
Key Takeaways
- You can block an artist from any song, album, or artist page by right-clicking (or long-pressing on mobile) and selecting the block option.
- Blocked artists will not appear in your recommendations, playlists generated by Spotify, or radio stations, but you can still play their music if you search for it directly.
- The block applies to your entire account across all devices and stays active until you unblock the artist.
- You can unblock artists anytime through your account settings or by finding their page and reversing the block.
How to block an artist on desktop
Open Spotify on your computer and find any song by the artist you want to block. This can be in a playlist, in your library, in a search result, or on the artist's own page. Right-click on the song title or on the artist's name, and a menu will appear with several options.
Look for the option that says "Don't Play This Artist" or "Block Artist" — the exact wording depends on your Spotify version, but the intent is clear. Click it. Spotify will confirm the block has taken effect, usually with a brief notification. That's all you need to do. The artist is now blocked on your account.
How to block an artist on mobile
Open Spotify on your phone or tablet and find a song by the artist you want to block. Tap the three dots (the menu icon) next to the song title or next to the artist's name. A menu will slide up from the bottom of the screen with several choices.
Tap "Don't Play This Artist" or the equivalent block option in your version. Spotify will confirm the block. On mobile, the menu sometimes appears as a row of icons rather than text options — look for the three vertical dots or three horizontal lines, tap it, and scroll to find the block choice.
Blocking from an artist's page
You don't have to find a specific song to block someone. Go directly to the artist's page by searching for their name in Spotify's search bar. Once you're on their page, look for the three dots menu icon — usually in the top right corner of the artist information section, or next to the play button.
Tap or click those dots and select the block option. This blocks the entire artist from your recommendations and algorithmic playlists when ready. You can also block from a radio station: if you're listening to a station and an artist you want to avoid comes on, tap the three dots next to their name and block them right there.
What happens after you block an artist
Once blocked, that artist's music will stop appearing in Spotify's generated playlists like Discover Weekly, Release Radar, and Daily Mixes. They won't show up in radio stations you create, and their songs won't appear in "Fans Also Like" recommendations. If you have saved songs by that artist, they stay in your library — blocking doesn't delete anything you've already saved.
If you search for the artist by name, you can still find and play their music. Blocking only affects Spotify's suggestions and recommendations, not your ability to listen if you choose to. This means you can block someone whose work you don't want suggested, but still listen if a friend requests it or if you change your mind later.
How to unblock an artist
To unblock an artist, search for their name in Spotify and go to their page. Tap or click the three dots menu and look for an option like "Unblock Artist" or "Allow This Artist" — it will be the reverse of the block option you used before. Click it, and the artist is unblocked when ready.
Alternatively, you can manage your blocked artists through Spotify's settings. On desktop, go to your account settings, find the "Privacy" or "Social" section (depending on your version), and look for a list of blocked artists. On mobile, go to Settings, then Privacy, and you should see your blocked list there. Tap any artist in the list to unblock them.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I block an artist, will they know?
No. Blocking is private to your account. The artist has no way of knowing you've blocked them, and Spotify doesn't notify them. It's purely a tool for managing what you hear in your own recommendations.
Can I block a song without blocking the entire artist?
Not directly. Spotify doesn't have a "block this song" feature. You can skip songs you don't want to hear, and Spotify learns from skips to adjust recommendations. If you want to avoid one song but not the whole artist, skipping is your option.
Does blocking an artist remove them from playlists I've already made?
No. If you've added songs by a blocked artist to your own playlists, they stay there. Blocking only affects Spotify's generated playlists and recommendations. Your personal playlists are not changed.
What if I block an artist by mistake?
You can unblock them anytime through the artist's page or through your account settings. There's no penalty for blocking and unblocking — you can do it as many times as you need to.
Will blocking an artist on Spotify affect my account on other devices?
Yes. Your block list is tied to your Spotify account, not to individual devices. If you block an artist on your phone, they're blocked on your computer, tablet, and any other device you use Spotify on.