diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f1dfeff..fd27141 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -90,6 +90,11 @@ instances:
     backup_dir: /backups/primary
     retention_days: 14
     schedule: "0 2 * * *"
+    # Optional: explicitly include or exclude specific databases
+    # include:
+    #   - my_app_db
+    # exclude:
+    #   - temp_db
 
   - name: secondary
     host: 192.168.1.20
@@ -109,6 +114,8 @@ instances:
   - `webhooks`: An array of webhook endpoints. Each can have its own `events` block to fire only on specific outcomes.
 - `logging.file`: The path where log files should be written. 
 - `instances`: An array of MariaDB instances. Each requires its own name, connection details, backup directory, retention configuration (in days), and cron `schedule`.
+  - `include`: (Optional) If specified, ONLY the listed databases will be backed up.
+  - `exclude`: (Optional) If specified, the listed databases will be ignored. System databases are ALWAYS excluded automatically.
 
 > **Note:** Make sure the user specified in the configuration has `SELECT`, `LOCK TABLES`, `SHOW VIEW`, and `TRIGGER` permissions to properly perform `mysqldump` operations across all databases.
 
diff --git a/backup/discover.go b/backup/discover.go
index b4f4a54..794528f 100644
--- a/backup/discover.go
+++ b/backup/discover.go
@@ -39,6 +39,33 @@ func discoverDatabases(cfg config.InstanceConfig) ([]string, error) {
 		if err := rows.Scan(&name); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
+
+		if len(cfg.Include) > 0 {
+			included := false
+			for _, inc := range cfg.Include {
+				if name == inc {
+					included = true
+					break
+				}
+			}
+			if !included {
+				continue
+			}
+		}
+
+		if len(cfg.Exclude) > 0 {
+			excluded := false
+			for _, exc := range cfg.Exclude {
+				if name == exc {
+					excluded = true
+					break
+				}
+			}
+			if excluded {
+				continue
+			}
+		}
+
 		databases = append(databases, name)
 	}
 
diff --git a/config/config.go b/config/config.go
index a9ad581..064e5f3 100644
--- a/config/config.go
+++ b/config/config.go
@@ -59,14 +59,16 @@ type LoggingConfig struct {
 }
 
 type InstanceConfig struct {
-	Name          string `yaml:"name"`
-	Host          string `yaml:"host"`
-	Port          int    `yaml:"port"`
-	User          string `yaml:"user"`
-	Password      string `yaml:"password"`
-	BackupDir     string `yaml:"backup_dir"`
-	RetentionDays int    `yaml:"retention_days"`
-	Schedule      string `yaml:"schedule"`
+	Name          string   `yaml:"name"`
+	Host          string   `yaml:"host"`
+	Port          int      `yaml:"port"`
+	User          string   `yaml:"user"`
+	Password      string   `yaml:"password"`
+	BackupDir     string   `yaml:"backup_dir"`
+	RetentionDays int      `yaml:"retention_days"`
+	Schedule      string   `yaml:"schedule"`
+	Include       []string `yaml:"include,omitempty"`
+	Exclude       []string `yaml:"exclude,omitempty"`
 }
 
 func LoadConfig(path string) (*Config, error) {