Deezer, the popular music streaming platform, has unveiled a series of innovative features aimed at enhancing user experience and differentiating itself from competitors like Spotify and Apple Music. On April 16, 2025, during a press conference, Deezer's CEO Alexis Lanternier announced eight new functionalities that promise to give users greater control over their music discovery process.
Among the most notable updates is Deezer's introduction of a transparent and customizable algorithm, which allows users to understand and modify the recommendations generated for them. This world-first feature is set to launch at the end of April 2025, with a new 'Manage My Recommendations' button that lets users adjust the parameters influencing their music suggestions.
"At Deezer, we are constantly innovating to offer the most personalized and customizable music experience on the market," said Lanternier, emphasizing the company's commitment to enhancing user interaction with its platform.
With this new functionality, listeners will be able to remove specific tracks or artists from their listening history and even ban certain content entirely. For instance, parents can eliminate songs their children frequently play from their recommendations. Additionally, a new 'I don't like' button will allow users to clearly signal to the algorithm that a particular song does not align with their tastes.
Deezer's Flow feature, which generates playlists based on user preferences, is also receiving an upgrade. Starting in May 2025, users will have the ability to instantly change the musical style based on their mood or activity, such as selecting more upbeat tracks for workouts.
In a bid to further engage its audience, Deezer is launching a monthly recap feature called 'MyDeezerMonth', which will provide users with insights into their listening habits. Available from May 2, 2025, this feature builds on the success of the annual 'MyDeezerYear' recap, which attracted four million users in 2024. The monthly overview will include statistics like the most listened-to songs, favorite artists, and genre preferences, along with comparisons to previous months.
Deezer is also taking a bold step in promoting a more open music-sharing culture. Starting April 28, 2025, users will be able to share songs with friends via links that allow access to not only Deezer but also Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music. This unique approach positions Deezer as the only streaming service that does not confine its users to its ecosystem, promoting a pro-music message.
In addition to these features, Deezer will allow subscribers to create personalized covers for their playlists, a function that will be available from May 2, 2025. Users will have access to a variety of images, stickers, and text options to customize their playlist aesthetics, contrasting with competitors that rely on AI-generated designs.
The Favorites tab will also become fully customizable, enabling users to rearrange how they display their podcasts, playlists, albums, and artists according to their preferences.
Deezer's recent updates come at a time when the platform is experiencing a shift in user dynamics. After reporting its first positive cash flow in 2024, Deezer has seen a decline in free users, with 9.7 million subscribers in 2024 compared to 10 million in 2023. This decline reflects a broader trend in the music streaming market, where less than 20% of the French population currently subscribes to a service.
As Deezer seeks to capture the attention of younger audiences, particularly those under 34 who represent 40% of its listeners, these new features are designed to resonate with modern music consumers who desire more control and personalization in their streaming experience. With the competitive landscape dominated by Spotify, which boasts over 675 million monthly active users, including 263 million paying subscribers, Deezer's innovative approach could be crucial in regaining market share.
The launch of these features aims to position Deezer not only as a viable alternative to its competitors but also as a leader in delivering a user-centric music streaming experience. As the company continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether these changes will successfully attract a new generation of listeners to its platform.
In conclusion, Deezer's ambitious rollout of new features marks a significant step in its strategy to enhance user engagement and satisfaction. By prioritizing transparency and customization, Deezer is redefining how users interact with music streaming services, potentially setting a new standard in the industry.
