Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for determining encoding media station fingerprints and determining if media station fingerprints are related. Also disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for allowing client devices to preview sample media stations prior to actually creating a media station, receiving user interaction data relating to the user's activity with a sample media station, storing sample station fingerprints along with client device interaction data and using the client device interaction data to influence media item sequence generation rules for an additional related media station.