You really need AI for keyword submissions

@Kristin​ 

One of these keywords is much more common than the others. The more the others are added to titles, the harder it becomes for someone to remove the duplicate keywords entirely.

@Peter_pbn​ As I understand it, it is not possible for contributors to remove keywords,

even if you went in on all titles and deleted keywords and the contributor self handedly desided which he likes best, the keyword then with 0 enteries would still be in the database and be selected by new users.  

When you add keywords you don't see who has 0 usages, or the one who has the most usage.

And if you write in a keyword that is in the database, you will not be presented with the other versions.

So we therefore need the option to merge keywords back, 

as merging means the system replaces keyword x-y-z  with A,

then deletes keyword xyz from the keyword database

and also it is possible in the system to add so that if someone later adds x-y-or Z, A will automatically be added instead.

None of this is it possible for contributors/users to do, only IMDb.

Example: try to add keyword "shirtless male" to a title, 

the system will automatically change it to: bare-chested-male

So i would strongly suggest that people do not remove duplicate keywords.

They need to be merged, not removed.

PPS: I see on wayback machine the word they used was "combined" not merged.

https://web.archive.org/web/20260505234154/https://help.imdb.com/article/contribution/titles/keywords/GXQ22G5Y72TH8MJ5?ref_=helpsrall#duplicate

The Routine, that disappeared 19. May 2026:

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Duplicate Keywords

A duplicate keyword is one which offers no additional or differentiating value to a keyword already listed. This could be the result of a spelling error or alternative spelling being used. To report a duplicate keyword please go to our contact form and let us know the details of the keywords you think should be combined.

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@Kristin​ 

If a keyword is removed from all titles, the keyword will no longer be in the database.

I would not base my contributions on a potential feature that may never happen.

It is IMDb's current position, as they also told you, that "when you observe inconsistencies such as those you reported, you are welcome to submit the applicable keyword corrections/deletions through our contribution form which will be reviewed and handled directly by our editors."

The only way to do that is to do it title by title.

While IMDb have removed the text from the help page after your post, it has been years since they stated here in the community that they would not continue to complete merge requests. You may find this thread of interest:

https://community-imdb.sprinklr.com/conversations/data-issues-policy-discussions/duplicate-keywords-list-50-developmental-disability-keywords-proposals-for-permanent-merger-and-autoconversion/635d898d7aca5e4ceea729a3