Watchlists
Understanding Watchlists on Simkl: Organizing, Tracking, and Automating Your Viewing Experience!
Simkl is an all-in-one tracking platform designed for enthusiasts of Movies, TV Shows, and Anime.
Unlike traditional list-making apps, Simkl functions as a high-powered "Watchlist as a Service," integrating your viewing habits with a massive database to automate the organization of your digital library.
Simkl’s watchlist system is not just a set of lists it’s a state-driven tracking architecture that continuously adapts based on your viewing behavior, release schedules, and progress signals.
Your watch progress
Episode release schedules
Title status (ongoing vs ended)
Your interactions (watching, pausing, dropping)
This guide breaks down the system in depth from list logic and automation rules to dashboard rendering behavior and filtering controls.
Simkl dynamically moves, updates, and prioritizes content so your dashboard always reflects what actually matters: what to watch next, what’s airing, and what needs attention.
Core Concept for Watchlist
The foundational concept of the Simkl Watchlist is automated synchronization.
By separating content into three distinct silos: TV, Anime, and Movies.
Simkl acknowledges that each medium requires different tracking logic (e.g., episode-by-episode progress for TV/Anime vs. theatrical/digital release dates for Movies).
Each transition is governed by:
1. System Automation
Detects watched progress
Tracks episode releases
Identifies completion status
2. User Interaction
Manually moving titles
Marking episodes/movies as watched
Updating preferences
The system is designed to eliminate the "What should I watch next?" fatigue by dynamically updating your "Next Up" queue based on your current status and the real-time global airing schedule.
FAQ on Mixed ListSimkl prioritizes accuracy over manual control. This ensures your watch history, stats, and recommendations remain reliable.
Utilize Custom List Collections to effortlessly connect mixed-type lists together.
What Are Simkl Watchlists?
A Simkl Watchlist is a personalized, filterable database that archives your entire media history and future intentions.
It serves four main purposes:
History: A permanent record of every show or movie you have ever watched.
Progress Tracking: A granular look at exactly which episode or season you are on.
Discovery: A tool that uses your "Completed" and "Favorites" lists to suggest new content.
Utility: A bridge to your notification settings, ensuring you are alerted the moment content becomes available.
Watching (For TV Shows and Anime only)
Plan to watch
On hold (For TV Shows and Anime only)
Completed
Dropped
All Default Watchlist Breakdown
Managing your entertainment should be as effortless as watching it.
SIMKL’s watchlist system isn't just a group of static folders; it’s an automated engine that tracks your progress and organizes your library based on real-time data.
Simkl provides five default watchlists designed to represent every stage of your viewing lifecycle. It utilizes a specific set of statuses to categorize your media.
These lists are automatically managed, but also allow manual control when needed.
Below is a breakdown of how each list works, including the "logic flow" that makes the automation possible.
Watching: (The Active Queue)
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.
How it Works: Once you mark the first episode of a series as "Watched," SIMKL automatically moves that title into this list, from Plan to Watch.
The Automatic Flow:
Example: You start a new Anime, Chainsaw Man or any show. You click "Seen/Watched" on Episode 1. SIMKL immediately moves the show from Plan to Watch to Watching. As you watch Episode 2, your progress updates to 2/12. The show remains here as long as there are more episodes for you to watch.
Watching List (For TV Shows): https://simkl.com/my/tv/watching/
Watching List (For Anime): https://simkl.com/my/anime/watching/
Plan to watch: (The Queue)
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.
Think of this as your digital "To-Do" list. It is the landing spot for every Movie, TV Show, or Anime you discover but aren't ready to start yet.
How it Works: This list acts as a reservoir. It is the only list that supports all three media types (TV, Anime, Movies) equally from the start.
The Automatic Flow:
Example: You see a trailer for an upcoming Movie like Dune: Part Three. You add it to your Plan to Watch list. SIMKL will now monitor that movie and notify you the moment it hits theaters or becomes available on Digital/DVD (based on your notification settings)
Plan To Watchlist (TV Shows): https://simkl.com/5743957/tv/plantowatch/
Plan To Watchlist (Movies): https://simkl.com/my/movies/plantowatch/
Plan To Watchlist (Anime): https://simkl.com/my/anime/plantowatch/
On Hold: (The Pause Button)
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.
Exclusive to TV Shows and Anime, this list is for series you haven't given up on, but aren't actively watching right now.
How it Works: Moving a show here removes it from your dashboard, preventing clutter while preserving your exact episode progress.
The Automatic Flow:
Example: You are halfway through a 50-episode series but want to focus on new seasonal releases.
You move the series to On Hold.
Six months later, when you're ready, you move it back to Watching.
SIMKL remembers you were exactly on Episode 25.
On Hold (TV Shows): https://simkl.com/my/tv/hold/
On Hold (Anime): https://simkl.com/my/anime/hold/
Completed: (The Archive)
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.
This list is your personal hall of fame. However, SIMKL has a "smart guard" to ensure you don't miss new content.
The "Smart Guard" Rule:
You cannot move a TV show/Anime to "Completed" if it is still airing or has unreleased episodes.
The show is moved automatically to Completed lists if the show has ended and all episodes have been released!
It will stay in Watching to ensure you receive notifications for the new season or when new episodes air.
How it Works: Once you watch the final episode of a series or finish a movie, SIMKL moves it here.
The Automatic Flow:
Example: You finish the series finale of Succession.
Since the show has ended and you've seen all episodes, SIMKL automatically moves it to Completed.
If you finish Season 1 of a show that has a Season 2 coming next year, it stays in Watching so you get a ping when Season 2 premieres.
Completed List (TV Shows): https://simkl.com/my/tv/completed/
Completed List (Anime): https://simkl.com/my/anime/completed/
Completed List (Movies): https://simkl.com/my/movies/completed/
Dropped: (Not Interested Anymore)
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.
For the shows and movies that just didn't "click" or matched your "taste" or "vibes".
How it Works: Moving a title here is a signal to SIMKL’s recommendation engine. It tells the system, "I didn't like this, don't show me similar things."
The Automatic Flow:
Example: You watch two episodes of a sitcom and decide it's not for you.
You move it to Dropped.
SIMKL immediately stops all notifications for that show and hides it from your "Next Up" queue forever.
Ensuring you don't accidentally click on it again months later.
Dropped (TV Shows): https://simkl.com/my/tv/dropped/
Dropped (Anime): https://simkl.com/my/anime/dropped/
Dropped (Movies): https://simkl.com/my/movies/dropped/
SIMKL's Watchlist Logic
Feature
Watching
Plan to Watch
On Hold
Completed
Dropped
Media Types
TV, Anime
TV, Anime, Movies
TV, Anime
TV, Anime, Movies
TV, Anime, Movies
Auto-Update
Yes (Progress)
No
No
Yes (On Finish)
No
Notifications
Active
Release Alerts
Paused
Off
Off
How to Use Watchlist Efficiently (V2 Filters & Discover)
Efficient use of watchlists is not about organizing content manually, it’s about leveraging Simkl’s automation, filters, and discovery engine together to maintain a clean, intelligent, and continuously updating system.
a) Mastering with "Watchlist Defaults"
If you’re a power user with hundreds of titles in your library, every click counts. One of the best "quality of life" features on SIMKL is the ability to set Watchlist Defaults.
Instead of landing on your "Full List" and having to filter down every single time, you can tell SIMKL exactly which sub-category you want to see the moment you click on MY TV SHOWS, MY ANIME, or MY MOVIES.
Why This Matters
By default, most people want to see what they are currently watching so they can jump straight into the next episode.
However, if you are a movie buff who uses SIMKL primarily to track upcoming releases, having your "Movies" tab open directly to Plan to Watch saves you the hassle of navigating through your completed history.
Think of it as a pre-selected filter that loads instantly with the page.
Setting Menu: https://simkl.com/settings/
How to Set Your Defaults
As shown in the settings menu, you can customize the entry point for each media type individually:
Navigate to Settings: Go to your Profile and look for the "Watchlist Defaults & Navigation" section.
Select Your Primary List: For each category (TV, Anime, Movies), choose from the 5 core lists:
Watching: Best for TV and Anime fans who want immediate access to their "Next Up" queue.
Plan to Watch: Ideal for those currently in a "discovery phase" looking for something new to start.
Completed: Perfect if you frequently reference your history to give friends recommendations.
On Hold / Dropped: Less common as a default, but available if you’re doing a "spring cleaning" of your library.
Save Changes: Hit "Save" and your navigation bar is now optimized for your specific viewing habits.
The "One-Click" Strategy: If you set My TV Shows to default to Watching, one click on the header takes you straight to the shows that have new episodes waiting.
b) Efficient Watchlist Management
1. Keep the “Watching” List Actionable (Your Control Center)
Your Watching list is your active execution layer, it should only contain content you are realistically engaging with.
Best Practices
Move inactive or paused shows → On Hold
Avoid leaving finished-but-ongoing shows cluttered without intent
Regularly review shows with:
Unwatched episodes piling up
No recent engagement
Why This Matters
The dashboard prioritizes Watching content
A cluttered Watching list → weak recommendations + poor visibility
Clean Watching list → accurate “what’s next” suggestions
2. Treat “Plan to Watch” as a Smart Queue, Not a Dump List
The Plan to Watch list is most effective when used as a curated pipeline, not a storage bin.
Best Practices
Add titles you intend to watch soon, not “someday”
Avoid bulk-adding unreleased or distant titles
Periodically:
Remove outdated interests
Re-prioritize based on mood or trends
Advanced Tip
Use Plan to Watch as a release-driven trigger system:
Let Simkl notify you when:
Episode 1 airs
Movie becomes available
This transforms your list into a timed discovery engine
3. Use “On Hold” as a Strategic Buffer (Not a Graveyard)
On Hold is not abandonment—it’s intentional delay.
Best Practices
Move content here when:
Waiting for a full season to release
You want to binge later
You temporarily lose interest
Optimization Strategy
Periodically revisit On Hold:
Resume → move back to Watching
Lose interest → move to Dropped
Keeps your ecosystem actively maintained, not stagnant
4. Use “Dropped” to Train Simkl’s Recommendation Engine
Most users underutilize this list, but it’s critical for personalization accuracy.
Best Practices
Move content you genuinely didn’t enjoy → Dropped
Don’t leave disliked shows in Watching or On Hold
System Impact
Simkl learns:
What genres/styles you avoid
What pacing/themes don’t work for you
This reduces:
Irrelevant recommendations
Repeated suggestions of unwanted content
c) v2 Filters & Discover System
Simkl v2 introduces a modular filtering and discovery system that allows you to slice your watchlists with precision.
A. Watchlist Filters: State-Based Segmentation
These filters allow you to isolate content based on lifecycle stage:
Watching → Active tracking
Plan to Watch → Future queue
Completed → Historical archive
On Hold → Paused content
Dropped → Ignored titles
B. Metadata Filters: Behavioral & Quality Insights
These filters refine lists based on user interaction signals.
Favorites → Your highest priority content
Not Rated → Items needing feedback
Not 100% Progress → Incomplete shows
Has Memos → Annotated or noted entries
C. Genre Filters: Content-Level Precision
Each media type includes specialized genre taxonomies:
TV Shows: Drama, Crime, Documentary, Reality, Talk Show, etc.
Anime: Shounen, Seinen, Mecha, Slice of Life, Psychological, etc.
Movies: Thriller, War, Romance, Sci-Fi, etc.
Enables context-based viewing decisions
To master your Watchlist, you must utilize the V2 Filter System:
The Randomizer (Dice Icon): If you can't decide what to watch, click the dice icon on your "Plan to Watch" list. Simkl will randomly select a title for you based on your filtered criteria.
Advanced Filters:
Not 100% Progress: Quickly find shows where you might have missed a special episode or OVA.
Has Memos: Filter by titles where you’ve left personal notes (e.g., "Watch with brother").
Released on DVD/Digital: For movie fans, this filter instantly tells you which items on your "Plan to Watch" list are actually available to view right now.
Maximize Mode: Use the "Maximize" button in the V2 sidebar to expand your list into a full-screen grid view, perfect for auditing large collections.
A Smart, Self-Maintaining Watch System on SIMKL
The Simkl Watchlist is more than a simple bookmarking tool; it is a lifelong media companion.
By leveraging automated notifications, medium-specific statuses, and powerful V2 filtering, Simkl ensures that you spend less time managing your lists and more time actually watching.
Whether you are waiting for a specific Anime dub or tracking a movie’s journey from theaters to digital, the Watchlist keeps everything organized in one unified, sleek interface.
Profile Statistics
They combine:
Automation → Tracks progress and updates states
Intelligence → Adapts to release schedules
Clarity → Shows only relevant content
What This Means for You
You always know what to watch next
Your progress is always accurate
Your history is clean and structured
Your recommendations are personalized and evolving
Simkl doesn’t just store your watchlists, it manages your entire viewing journey automatically.
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