Why You Keep Finding Duplicate Songs in Your Spotify Playlist
If you’ve ever queued up your favorite Spotify playlist and thought, “Didn’t I just hear this song?”—you’re not alone. Duplicate tracks can sneak into playlists for all kinds of reasons: auto-saves, algorithmic additions, collaborative edits, or simply forgetting that you already added that song last week.
The problem? Repeating songs kill the vibe. Especially when you’re sharing playlists with others or using them in a professional context—like at a public event, in a retail store, or as a background loop for content creation.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to remove duplicates from a Spotify playlist step by step—manually, through Spotify’s native tools, or using trusted third-party apps. Whether you’re on mobile or desktop, we’ve got all angles covered.
What Counts as a Duplicate in Spotify?
Before jumping into removal methods, it’s worth understanding what Spotify considers a "duplicate."
A duplicate track is typically:
The exact same song (same version, same album, same artist).
A different release of the same song, like a remastered version or live performance.
Songs with identical titles but hosted on different albums or compilations.
Spotify doesn’t automatically filter these out, especially in user-created playlists, so it’s easy to end up with multiple copies of the same song under slightly different metadata.
Method 1: Remove Duplicates from a Spotify Playlist Manually
If your playlist isn’t too long, this is the safest (though most tedious) method.
On Desktop (Windows/macOS)
Open Spotify app or Web Player.
Go to your playlist.
Use the search bar inside the playlist to look for titles you suspect are duplicated.
Right-click on any song you want to remove.
Select “Remove from this playlist.”
Repeat for all duplicates.
On Mobile (iOS/Android)
Open the Spotify app.
Go to your playlist.
Tap the three dots next to the duplicate track.
Tap “Remove from this playlist.”
Tip: Use alphabetical sort or drag-and-drop to group similar songs visually.
Pros:
100% safe; no external tools required.
You control what stays and what goes.
Cons:
Time-consuming for large playlists.
Easy to miss duplicates with different versions.
Method 2: Use Spotify Desktop’s "Remove Duplicates" Plugin (for Dev Users)
Spotify doesn’t officially offer a “remove duplicates” button in its native interface. However, users with developer access or Chrome extensions can use code snippets or browser dev tools to scan playlists.
Here’s a light-tech workaround using the Spotify Web Player:
Open the playlist in a Chrome browser.
Press F12 to open Developer Tools.
Go to the Console tab.
Paste in a community-vetted script (only from trusted GitHub repos).
Hit Enter.
These scripts typically highlight and list duplicates, but you’ll still need to remove them manually.
Important: Use this method only if you’re comfortable with JavaScript and understand the risks of injecting third-party code.
Method 3: Automatically Remove Duplicates Using External Tools
If your playlist has hundreds or thousands of songs, automation is the way to go. Below are some reputable tools designed specifically to clean up Spotify playlists.
1. Spotify Deduplicator (https://spotify-deduplicator.netlify.app/)
Web-based tool
Easy login with your Spotify account
Automatically scans and removes exact duplicates
Works on both public and private playlists
How to Use:
Go to the website.
Log in via Spotify OAuth (secure).
Select the playlist you want to clean.
Click “Remove Duplicates.”
Done.
Pros:
Super fast and intuitive
No installation required
Free to use
Cons:
Limited to exact duplicates (same URI)
Doesn’t detect nuanced versions (e.g., live vs. studio)
2. Soundiiz (https://soundiiz.com)
Primarily known as a playlist converter across platforms, Soundiiz has a built-in duplicate detection feature.
Works with Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, etc.
Requires a free or premium account
Detects more nuanced duplicates (based on title and artist match)
Steps:
Connect your Spotify account.
Import your playlists.
Use the “Clean” tool to detect and delete duplicates.
Export the cleaned version back to Spotify.
Bonus: You can also merge playlists and remove cross-playlist duplicates.
3. Playlist Machinery (https://www.playlistmachinery.com/duplicate-remover.html)
Simple, old-school interface
Detects only true duplicates
Fast and free
This tool is best for users who prefer barebones, no-login tools.
How to Avoid Adding Duplicate Songs in the Future
Now that you’ve cleaned up your playlist, keep it that way by following these tips:
Enable 'Add Once' Notifications: Spotify doesn’t warn you when you add a duplicate. Use browser extensions like Spotify Duplicate Checker (Chrome) to get alerts.
Use third-party apps to manage large playlists or rotate fresh songs in automatically.
Create Smart Playlists using tools like Last.fm or Playlist Machinery that avoid recently played or added songs.
Periodically scan using deduplication tools, especially after collaborative playlist sessions.
Real-World Use Case: Why This Matters
Imagine you’re a small business owner curating in-store playlists, or a content creator syncing music to visual content. Repetitive songs not only ruin the listener experience but also dilute the uniqueness of your brand.
In one test, a 300-song café playlist was found to contain 48 duplicates, reducing variety by over 15%. After cleaning it with Spotify Deduplicator, customer feedback improved noticeably—some even mentioned the music felt “fresher” and “l(fā)ess repetitive.”
Conclusion: Keeping Your Spotify Playlist Clean Is Simpler Than You Think
Whether you prefer the manual route or automation, removing duplicates from your Spotify playlist is a one-time effort that brings long-term value. Tools like Spotify Deduplicator, Soundiiz, and Playlist Machinery make it easy for anyone—no tech skills required.
And once you’ve done the cleanup, your music flows smoother, your playlists sound more professional, and your listening sessions get a serious quality upgrade.
FAQs
Does Spotify automatically remove duplicates?
No, Spotify does not currently auto-detect or remove duplicate tracks in playlists.
Can I remove duplicates on Spotify mobile?
Only manually. External tools for auto-removal are desktop-based or web-based.
Will third-party tools have access to my Spotify account?
Only with your permission. Most use Spotify’s OAuth system, meaning you can revoke access anytime via your Spotify settings.
Are these tools safe?
Most reputable tools like Spotify Deduplicator and Soundiiz are widely used and community-reviewed. Avoid using obscure tools without security credentials.
What happens if I remove a duplicate that’s a different version?
You'll lose that version from your playlist, so double-check if it's a live cut, remix, or alternate release before removing.
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