# Watchlists and Custom Lists

## Introduction

Simkl is a popular platform that allows members to track, discover, and organize their favorite TV shows, movies, and anime. One of its most useful features is the watchlist, which helps members keep track of their viewing habits and preferences.

This article will discuss the watchlist feature in detail, explaining its default lists and how they work, as well as how to create custom lists for a more personalized experience.

{% hint style="info" %}
Simkl provides an option to add shows and movies to a **Watchlist** or to a **Custom list (in V2 beta)**.
{% endhint %}

{% content-ref url="watchlists-and-custom-lists/how-to-use-watchlists" %}
[how-to-use-watchlists](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/watchlists-and-custom-lists/how-to-use-watchlists)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="../getting-started-with-simkl/basic-navigation/custom-lists" %}
[custom-lists](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/getting-started-with-simkl/basic-navigation/custom-lists)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## What are Watchlists on Simkl?

Watchlists are a core feature of Simkl that allows members to categorize and manage their TV shows, movies, and anime.

By adding content to a watchlist, members can easily keep track of what they're watching, plan to watch, or have already completed.

{% hint style="info" %}
Plan to Watch > Watching > On Hold > Completed
{% endhint %}

Watchlists also help members stay organized and make it easy to pick up where they left off when they return to a show or movie and have specific rules on how notifications are handled.

<figure><img src="https://1063116720-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkYIJb2JfKN8kBT29bf%2Fuploads%2FI0qb6Dn7nO0aaMIRpssr%2Fgitbook-x-prod.appspot.png?alt=media&#x26;token=f9847454-b55b-4e06-a62f-2050d90c1aac" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Default Watchlist Lists on Simkl

{% hint style="info" %}

* Watching *<mark style="color:blue;">(For TV Shows and Anime only)</mark>*
* Plan to watch
* On hold *<mark style="color:blue;">(For TV Shows and Anime only)</mark>*
* Completed
* Dropped
  {% endhint %}

Simkl provides members with five default watchlist lists to help them categorize their content. These lists are:

1. **Watching:** This list contains TV shows and Anime that a member is currently watching. As members make progress through episodes or movies, Simkl will automatically update the list to reflect their progress.
2. **Plan to watch:** TV Shows, Anime, and Movies that you have not started to watch. This list is for members to keep track of TV shows and movies they intend to watch in the future. Adding content to this list is an excellent way to create a personal watch queue.
3. **On hold:** When members need to take a break from a show or anime but plan to return to it later, they can add the content to the "On hold" list. This list helps members remember which content they've paused and want to resume later.
4. **Completed:** Once members finish watching a TV show that has ended or watched a movie, Simkl will automatically move it to the "Completed" list. This list serves as a record of everything a member has watched, making it easy to look back and reminisce or find recommendations for friends.
5. **Dropped:** If a member decides to stop watching a TV show or movie without finishing it, they can add it to the "Dropped" list. This list is a useful way to remember which content didn't hold a member's interest, preventing them from accidentally returning to it in the future.

{% content-ref url="watchlists-and-custom-lists/how-to-use-watchlists" %}
[how-to-use-watchlists](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/watchlists-and-custom-lists/how-to-use-watchlists)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="watchlists-and-custom-lists/how-to-use-watchlists/the-simkl-watchlist-lifecycle" %}
[the-simkl-watchlist-lifecycle](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/watchlists-and-custom-lists/how-to-use-watchlists/the-simkl-watchlist-lifecycle)
{% endcontent-ref %}

***

## What is the difference between Watchlists and Custom lists?

Watchlists and Custom lists are both essential features of Simkl that help members organize their TV shows, movies, and anime.

Although they serve similar purposes, there are some key differences between the two:

### [Watchlists](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/watchlists-and-custom-lists/how-to-use-watchlists):

1. **Purpose:** Watchlists are primarily designed to help members track and manage their viewing progress for TV shows, movies, and anime. They provide a way to categorize content based on the member's current and future viewing intentions.
2. **Default lists:** Simkl offers five default watchlist lists: Watching, Plan to watch, On hold, Completed, and Dropped. These lists help members keep their content organized and make it easy to track their progress.
3. **Automatic updates:** Watchlists are automatically updated by Simkl based on the member's viewing progress. For example, when a member finishes watching a show or movie, it will be moved to the "Completed" list.
4. **Notifications:** Members receive notifications related to the content in their watchlists, such as new episode releases or reminders to continue watching a paused show or movie.

{% content-ref url="watchlists-and-custom-lists/how-to-use-watchlists" %}
[how-to-use-watchlists](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/watchlists-and-custom-lists/how-to-use-watchlists)
{% endcontent-ref %}

<figure><img src="https://1063116720-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkYIJb2JfKN8kBT29bf%2Fuploads%2F3prooocQTREjL0taAUsz%2Fchrome_b8SBokhJzd.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=5fae37f7-2abc-4923-94ef-7594d175feb9" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Watchlist Features:

{% content-ref url="calendar" %}
[calendar](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/calendar)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="content-tracking/tracking-content/progress-tracking" %}
[progress-tracking](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/content-tracking/tracking-content/progress-tracking)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="content-tracking/tracking-content/watch-history/playback-progress-manager" %}
[playback-progress-manager](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/content-tracking/tracking-content/watch-history/playback-progress-manager)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="content-tracking/tracking-content/watch-history/playback-progress-manager/watching-now" %}
[watching-now](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/content-tracking/tracking-content/watch-history/playback-progress-manager/watching-now)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="watch-now-streaming-services" %}
[watch-now-streaming-services](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/watch-now-streaming-services)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="watch-now-streaming-services/subscription-tracking" %}
[subscription-tracking](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/watch-now-streaming-services/subscription-tracking)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="content-tracking/tracking-content/watch-history" %}
[watch-history](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/content-tracking/tracking-content/watch-history)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="quick-sharing/clipboard-feature" %}
[clipboard-feature](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/quick-sharing/clipboard-feature)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="watchlists-and-custom-lists/how-to-use-watchlists/notifications-for-watchlist" %}
[notifications-for-watchlist](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/watchlists-and-custom-lists/how-to-use-watchlists/notifications-for-watchlist)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="../advanced-usage/additional-tools/x-twitter-sharing" %}
[x-twitter-sharing](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/advanced-usage/additional-tools/x-twitter-sharing)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="social-and-community/watch-party-with-friends" %}
[watch-party-with-friends](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/social-and-community/watch-party-with-friends)
{% endcontent-ref %}

and many more.....

***

### [Custom lists](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/watchlists-and-custom-lists/custom-lists/creating-and-managing-custom-lists):

{% hint style="info" %}
Custom lists is a new feature of the V2 Beta that is currently in development.
{% endhint %}

1. **Purpose:** Custom lists allow members to create personalized collections of TV shows, movies, and anime based on their specific interests or themes. These lists offer more flexibility in organizing content, as members can create as many custom lists as they want.
2. **Member-defined:** Unlike watchlists, custom lists are created by members themselves. Members can choose a title and description for their custom lists and add any content they want, regardless of their current viewing progress or intentions.
3. **Manual updates:** Content in custom lists is not automatically updated based on viewing progress. Members have full control over what they add or remove from their custom lists.
4. **Notifications:** Custom lists do not typically generate notifications, as they are intended for a personal organization rather than tracking progress or updates.

In summary, watchlists are designed to help members manage and track their viewing progress, while custom lists offer a more flexible and personalized way to organize content. Members can utilize both features to keep their favorite TV shows, movies, and anime organized and easily accessible on Simkl.

{% content-ref url="../getting-started-with-simkl/basic-navigation/custom-lists" %}
[custom-lists](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/getting-started-with-simkl/basic-navigation/custom-lists)
{% endcontent-ref %}

<figure><img src="https://1063116720-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkYIJb2JfKN8kBT29bf%2Fuploads%2F8qjmOa5UrrTUYyxna5ay%2Fchrome_qZsYxc7BAS.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=066d1f4b-0cbb-4e48-b28f-c0be9ab9b225" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Custom List Features:

{% content-ref url="watchlists-and-custom-lists/custom-lists/creating-and-managing-custom-lists" %}
[creating-and-managing-custom-lists](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/watchlists-and-custom-lists/custom-lists/creating-and-managing-custom-lists)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="watchlists-and-custom-lists/custom-lists/custom-list-collections" %}
[custom-list-collections](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/watchlists-and-custom-lists/custom-lists/custom-list-collections)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="watchlists-and-custom-lists/custom-lists/custom-list-types/auto-lists" %}
[auto-lists](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/watchlists-and-custom-lists/custom-lists/custom-list-types/auto-lists)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="watchlists-and-custom-lists/custom-lists/custom-list-types/favorite-lists" %}
[favorite-lists](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/watchlists-and-custom-lists/custom-lists/custom-list-types/favorite-lists)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="search-and-discovery/recommendations" %}
[recommendations](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/search-and-discovery/recommendations)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="watchlists-and-custom-lists/custom-lists/creating-and-managing-custom-lists/suggestion-feature" %}
[suggestion-feature](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/watchlists-and-custom-lists/custom-lists/creating-and-managing-custom-lists/suggestion-feature)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="watchlists-and-custom-lists/custom-lists/creating-and-managing-custom-lists/collaborative-features" %}
[collaborative-features](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/watchlists-and-custom-lists/custom-lists/creating-and-managing-custom-lists/collaborative-features)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="watchlists-and-custom-lists/custom-lists/custom-list-types/ranked-lists" %}
[ranked-lists](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/watchlists-and-custom-lists/custom-lists/custom-list-types/ranked-lists)
{% endcontent-ref %}