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Manual vs. Dynamic Playlists

Learn the difference between Manual and Dynamic Playlists in Tolstoy, when to use each type, and how to apply them to legacy widgets or AI widget projects.

Written by Niezl

Introduction

Tolstoy now supports two playlist types: Manual Playlists and Dynamic Playlists.

Manual Playlists help merchants hand-pick exact media and tag products manually. Dynamic Playlists help merchants build smarter AI widgets by setting rules and filters directly inside the project.
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Creating playlists does not require a paid plan. Publishing widgets that use playlists may depend on your Tolstoy plan and publishing access.
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How to Set Up

Manual Playlist

Manual Playlists are created by manually selecting media from your Library. These playlists are mainly used for older or legacy widgets.
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Important ⚠️
Manual Playlists do not appear in the playlist search inside AI widget projects.

To create a Manual Playlist:

  1. Go to Library. Find the Playlists section in the left sidebar. Click the + button. Select Manual playlist.
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  2. Add the media you want to include in the playlist. Tag products manually if needed.

To use a Manual Playlist in a project:

  1. Open the project.

  2. Go to the Playlist tab. Click Manual edit.
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  3. Under Media filters, choose Playlist. Select the Manual Playlist from your Library. Apply any additional filters if needed. Save your changes.
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Dynamic Playlist

Dynamic Playlists are the newer playlist flow designed for AI widgets. Instead of manually selecting media, you set rules and filters that determine which media should appear.
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Dynamic Playlists can be searched and selected from within AI widget projects.


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To create a Dynamic Playlist:

  1. Go to Library.

  2. Find the Playlists section in the left sidebar. Click the + button. Select Dynamic playlist.
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  3. Set the rules or filters for the media you want to include. Save the playlist.

To use a Dynamic Playlist in an AI widget project:

  1. Open the AI widget project.

  2. Go to the playlist source settings.
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  3. Search for the Dynamic Playlist. Select the playlist. Save your changes.
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Best Practices

  • Use Manual Playlists when you need full control over exact videos and product tagging.

  • Use Dynamic Playlists for AI widgets that should update based on rules or filters.

  • Use clear playlist names so your team can tell which playlists are manual and which are dynamic.

  • For AI widget projects, use Dynamic Playlists whenever possible.

  • If you need to use a Manual Playlist, use Manual edit → Playlist → Select playlist.

Troubleshooting / FAQs

Why can’t I find my Manual Playlist inside an AI widget project?
Manual Playlists do not appear in the playlist search inside AI widget projects. Use Manual edit → Playlist → Select playlist instead.

Which playlist type should I use for AI widgets?
Use Dynamic Playlists. They are designed for the newer AI widget flow.

Are Manual Playlists still supported?
Yes. Manual Playlists are still available, but they are mainly used for older or legacy widgets.

Can I still apply filters to a Manual Playlist?
Yes. Open Manual edit, choose Playlist, select the playlist, and apply filters if needed.

What is the main difference between Manual and Dynamic Playlists?
Manual Playlists are built by manually selecting media. Dynamic Playlists are built with rules and filters that control which media is included.

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