As a digital media consultant, I often get asked how to gain more privacy on popular platforms like Spotify. With over 422 million monthly active users, Spotify has become the top music streaming service. However, some users want more control over who can view their listening activities and profile.
Unfortunately, Spotify does not have a direct "remove follower" function. But you can block other accounts to stop them from accessing your profile and playlists. In this post, we‘ll give a detailed guide on how to remove followers on Spotify‘s desktop and mobile apps.
Why You May Want to Remove Followers
There are a few common reasons Spotify users want to remove followers:
- An ex or former friend you no longer want seeing your activity
- Strangers or spam accounts following you
- Desire for privacy over your listening habits
- Preventing stalking or harassment from a particular user
According to a Spotify Community thread, over 70% of respondents said they‘ve wanted to remove followers at some point for privacy reasons. So you‘re definitely not alone!
Step-By-Step Guide to Block Followers on Spotify
Blocking a user on Spotify prevents them from viewing your profile, playlists, and listening activity. Here are detailed steps to block followers:
Block Users on Desktop
- Open the Spotify desktop app and log into your account
- Click on your profile name in the top right > Select "Profile"
- Click on "Followers" to view your follower list
- Hover over the follower you want to block > Click on their profile
- Click on the three dots next to their name > Select "Block"
- Confirm you want to block the user in the popup
Tip: You can also access the "Block" option via the user‘s profile page.
Block Users on Mobile
- Open the Spotify mobile app and go to your profile
- Tap the settings gear icon
- Select "Block List"
- Search for the follower you want to block
- Tap "Block" to confirm
Tip: On iOS, the Block List is under "Account" in Settings. On Android, it‘s under "Social."
Limitations of Blocking Over Removing Followers
There are a couple key differences between blocking and directly removing a follower:
- Blocking is one-sided – The user you block can still see you in their follower list. But removing would delete you from both lists.
- You can‘t block artists – Spotify only allows blocking other user accounts, not creators or verified artists.
So blocking limits that user‘s access to your profile, but doesn‘t fully remove their connection or your presence in their follower list.
Other Ways to Increase Spotify Privacy
If you don‘t want to outright block someone, here are some other privacy options:
- Make playlists private – Stops anyone from seeing your playlists on your profile.
- Turn off listening activity sharing – Disables the ability for others to see what you‘re playing.
- Use Spotify anonymously – Enables private listening so your activity isn‘t tied to your profile.
You can also remove Spotify‘s ability to access your contacts, photos, location and other phone permissions.
Gain More Control Over Your Digital Footprint
Your digital footprint and privacy are important. While Spotify has its limitations, there are steps you can take to remove followers and protect your listening data based on your comfort levels.
I recommend regularly evaluating what information you share on social media and streaming platforms. Take advantage of privacy settings when possible. And consider how much access you want to give companies to your personal data.
I hope this guide gave you clarity on how to remove Spotify followers. Let me know if you have any other questions!
