Replacing equivalent content items

A computer-implemented method for updating user play lists in a content provider service, the method comprising:

• receiving, by a computer system, indications of a plurality of content items to be removed from a digital content library of the content provider service, wherein the computer system comprises at least one processor and operatively associated memory;
• querying a user database, by the computer system, to identify a plurality of user play lists comprising a reference to a first content item selected from the plurality of content items, wherein each of the plurality of user play lists is associated with a user of the content provider service;
• identifying, by the computer system, a second content item that is equivalent to the first content item;
• and
• updating, by the computer system, at least one user play list selected from the plurality of user play lists to replace references to the first content item with references to the second content item.

A system for updating content items provided to users by a content provider service, the system comprising:

• a computer system comprising at least one processor and operatively associated memory, wherein the computer system is programmed to:
• receive from a user device a request for a first content item, wherein the request indicates the first content item;
• translate the indication of the content item to a logical name, wherein the logical name is associated with at least one content item that is equivalent to the first content item;
• select a second content item from the at least one content item that is equivalent to the first content item;
• and
• in response to the request, cause the second content item to be provided to the user device.

A computer-implemented method for updating content items provided to users by a content provider service, the method comprising:

• receiving, by a computer system and from a user device, a request for a first content item, wherein the request indicates the first content item, wherein the computer system comprises at least one processor and operatively associated memory;
• translating, by the computer system, the indication of the content item to a logical name, wherein the logical name is associated with at least one content item that is equivalent to the first content item;
• selecting, by the computer system, a second content item from the at least one content item that is equivalent to the first content item;
• and
• in response to the request, causing, by the computer system, the second content item to be provided to the user device.