# FAQ on Mixed List Some entertainment tracking platforms allow users to create **mixed lists/watchlists** that combine movies, TV shows, and anime in the same list. However, **these platforms often lack proper tracking, sorting & filters features** for TV shows and anime, which leads to major issues in managing progress, filtering, and recommendations. SIMKL, on the other hand, is a **highly specialized tracking platform** designed to provide **accurate progress tracking** across **movies, TV shows, and anime separately**. Because of this advanced tracking system, SIMKL **does not allow mixed lists**, ensuring that each media type is handled correctly. Here’s why: {% hint style="success" %} **TLDR: Utilize** [**Custom List Collections**](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/watchlists-and-custom-lists/custom-lists/custom-list-collections) **to effortlessly connect mixed-type lists together.** {% endhint %} ### **Examples of different data in different media types:**

Separate watchilists for each media

Different genres for each media

{% content-ref url="../../../../getting-started-with-simkl/basic-navigation/movies-tracking" %} [movies-tracking](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/getting-started-with-simkl/basic-navigation/movies-tracking) {% endcontent-ref %} {% content-ref url="../../../../getting-started-with-simkl/basic-navigation/tv-shows-tracking" %} [tv-shows-tracking](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/getting-started-with-simkl/basic-navigation/tv-shows-tracking) {% endcontent-ref %} {% content-ref url="../../../../getting-started-with-simkl/basic-navigation/anime-tracking" %} [anime-tracking](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/getting-started-with-simkl/basic-navigation/anime-tracking) {% endcontent-ref %} {% hint style="success" %} **Utilize** [**Custom List Collections**](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/watchlists-and-custom-lists/custom-lists/custom-list-collections) **to effortlessly connect mixed-type lists together.** {% endhint %} {% content-ref url="../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 %} {% hint style="danger" %} **Can I create mixed (Hybrid) lists on SIMKL?** Y**ou cannot create mixed lists** that combine Movies, TV shows, and Anime in a single list. Each type has **different filters and sorting options**, which prevents them from being merged into one. However, you can still organize them together by using **List Collections**, which allow you to group separate lists under one collection. 📌 **Learn how to create Custom List Collections here:**\ 🔗 [SIMKL Custom List Collections Guide](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/watchlists-and-custom-lists/custom-list-collections) {% endhint %} ### **A) Filtering and Sorting Issues** Platforms that allow mixed lists **do not have proper filtering and sorting** when combining different media types. **Example of problems:** * You might want to sort your list by **"Latest Episode Aired"**, but that would not apply to movies. * Sorting by **"Watch Progress"** would be inconsistent since movies are either "watched" or "not watched," while TV shows and anime have ongoing episodes. * Recommendations based on a mixed list would be **unreliable** because movies and TV shows are structured differently in terms of suggestions. * Different types provide different data about episodes, seasons, production budget, dvd avalability. Using mixed lists would allow only to have only Poster view with limited information. * Sorting by Rank or displaying rank and other sorting options won't work because each type has it's own ranking of items. * Each type has it's own set of default Genres which won't work in other types **Why SIMKL keeps them separate:** Each category on SIMKL has its own advanced filtering options, such as: * TV Shows & Anime: **Sort by "Next Episode Airing," "Watch Progress," or "Seasons"** * Movies: **Sort by "Release Date," "Runtime," or "Genre"** ### **B) Problems with Third-Party Integrations (MAL, IMDB, etc.)** SIMKL integrates with many third-party services like **IMDB, Trakt, TV Time, MyAnimeList (MAL), and Letterboxd and few more**, allowing seamless syncing of watchlists that only support one type of data in the lists. {% content-ref url="../../../../advanced-usage/import-export-data/importing-to-simkl" %} [importing-to-simkl](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/advanced-usage/import-export-data/importing-to-simkl) {% endcontent-ref %} However, these services also separate **movies, TV shows, and anime** into different sections. If SIMKL allowed mixed lists, **syncing issues would occur**, causing: * ❌Watch progress to be lost or incorrectly assigned. * ❌Duplicate entries appearing in external services. * ❌ Broken tracking if a TV show is mistakenly listed as a movie. **Why SIMKL keeps them separate:** Keeping **lists categorized by type** ensures that **third-party integrations work smoothly** without tracking errors. *** ## Frequently Asked Questions
### 1. How to create a hybrid list using collection on SIMKL? Currently, **SIMKL does not support hybrid lists natively** (i.e., mixing movies, TV shows, and anime within the same custom list). However, you can still create a **workaround hybrid list** using the **Collections feature**:
#### **Workaround:** [**Using Collection**](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/watchlists-and-custom-lists/custom-lists/custom-list-collections) **to Create a Hybrid List** 1. **Create Separate Lists** – Make individual custom lists for Movies, TV Shows, and Anime. 2. **Use the** [**Collection**](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/watchlists-and-custom-lists/custom-lists/custom-list-collections) **Feature** – Group these separate lists together into a **Collection**. 3. **Manage All Lists Under** [**One Collection**](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/watchlists-and-custom-lists/custom-lists/custom-list-collections) – This allows you to keep track of all your related watchlists in one place. 4. **Share & Organize Easily** – You can share the collection **instead of separate lists**, making it functionally similar to a hybrid list. **Example:** If you want a "Best of Sci-Fi" hybrid list, create: * **Best of Sci-Fi (Movies)** * **Best of Sci-Fi (TV Shows)** * **Best of Sci-Fi (Anime)**\ This will group all 3 custom lists by automatically showing buttons to switch between them. ### 2. Why Hybrid list is not possible on SIMKL? SIMKL separates its database into three **distinct categories**: * 🎬 **Movies** - **Films** are single entities with a runtime & box office. * 📺 **TV Shows** - Series have multiple seasons and episodes. * 🎞️ **Anime** - Anime follows a similar episode-based structure but often includes different tracking options like subbed vs. dubbed, fillers, seasonal releases. Each category has **different tracking systems** (Episodes, Season vs. Full movies) and **metadata structures**. Since TV Shows and Anime have **multiple episodes**, while Movies do not, **mixing them into a single list** would create **technical complications** in tracking progress, watch history, and recommendations. *** ### **3. Can I add movies, TV shows, and anime to the same list on SIMKL?** No, SIMKL does not support mixed (hybrid) lists that include movies, TV shows, and anime in the same list. However, you can create **separate lists** and group them into a **Collection**, which allows you to organize and manage them together. *** ### **4. Can I filter my lists to show all types of content together?** No, SIMKL’s filtering system does not merge Movies, TV Shows, and Anime into a single list. However, you can: * **Use the Collection feature** to group separate lists together. * **View your watch history or favorites** across all categories. * **Check the "Plan to Watch" tab**, which organizes all items you’ve marked but keeps them separated by type. *** ### **5. What’s the best way to organize my hybrid lists on SIMKL?** The best method is: 1. Create **separate lists** for movies, TV shows, and anime. 2. Use [**Collections**](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/watchlists-and-custom-lists/custom-lists/custom-list-collections) to group them together. 3. Name your collection something like **"Best of Sci-Fi"**, **"2024 Watchlist"**, etc. 4. Share the Collection instead of individual lists! *** ### **6. How do Collections work compared to Lists?** * **Lists**: Store a single type of content (Movies, TV Shows, or Anime). * **Collections**: **Group multiple lists together**, allowing you to **combine different types of media** in one organized way. *** ### **7. Can SIMKL add hybrid lists in the future?** There are **no official plans** for hybrid lists right now, but the **Collection feature** already offers a similar way to organize your mixed lists. However, user feedback plays a role in future updates, so **if enough users request hybrid lists, it might be considered!** If you really want hybrid lists, you can **suggest it as a feature request** on: * 🔹 **SIMKL’s Discord Server** * 🔹 **SIMKL Forums** * 🔹 **SIMKL Feedback Page** {% content-ref url="../../../../get-in-touch-with-us/how-do-i-contact-support" %} [how-do-i-contact-support](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/get-in-touch-with-us/how-do-i-contact-support) {% endcontent-ref %} *** ## **Technical Reasons for No Hybrid Lists** * **Consistent Tracking** – TV Shows & Anime have **seasonal episodes**, whereas Movies don’t. A mixed list would **break progress tracking**. * **Database Optimization** – SIMKL’s system is designed to **filter & recommend content** based on type. * **Sorting & Filtering Issues** – Since Movies, TV Shows, and Anime have different **metadata formats**, sorting would be **inconsistent**. **Alternative Solution:** Instead of a hybrid list, use the **Collection feature** to group multiple lists together!