Deezer's Path to Profitability: New Algorithm & Features

Deezer Advances Towards Profitability with New Personalized Features

Deezer recently reported its first positive cash flow for 2024, representing a pivotal moment in the company’s operational history.

As the music streaming service moves closer to achieving profitability, a series of innovative features are being introduced to enhance its competitive standing within the crowded market.

Enhanced Personalization Options

Several new functionalities designed to deliver a more tailored listening experience were unveiled by Deezer on Wednesday.

These enhancements encompass a customizable recommendation algorithm, monthly listening recaps, and a universal sharing capability, among other improvements.

A Fully Customizable Algorithm

Deezer emphasizes that its custom algorithm will be a key differentiator.

Listeners will have complete control over their music recommendations, with the ability to personalize them without limitations.

Beginning this month, users can directly influence the suggested songs, playlists, albums, and artists, thereby shaping their individual music discovery journeys.

Unlike competitors such as Amazon Music, Apple Music, and YouTube Music, which primarily offer options to dislike or hide tracks, Deezer allows for the complete exclusion of songs, artists, or even entire albums and playlists via the new “Manage My Recommendations” section.

A dedicated “dislike” button has also been implemented alongside the existing “like” feature.

Users can now indicate their disapproval of a song by tapping a crossed-out heart icon, signaling to the algorithm that further recommendations of that track are unwanted.

Further Customization Features

Additional features focused on personalization include the ability to customize playlist artwork by selecting from a range of colors and stickers.

The Favorites tab can also be tailored to prioritize either albums or artists for quicker access.

These features are scheduled for release next month.

Introducing “My Deezer Month”

Deezer is launching a new monthly recap feature, titled “My Deezer Month,” which complements its established annual wrap-up, “My Deezer Year.”

Starting in early May, users will be able to access detailed monthly statistics.

These statistics will include insights into their most frequently played songs, artists, and genres, alongside breakdowns of their listening habits.

Comparisons of total listening minutes to the previous month and the total hours dedicated to their top three genres will also be provided.

This initiative presents a challenge for Deezer, as Spotify currently dominates the market for yearly recaps.

Apple Music introduced a monthly version of its Replay feature last year, but the potential for Deezer’s offering to achieve comparable popularity remains to be seen.

The company reported a 30% increase in engagement with “My Deezer Year” at the beginning of 2025.

Universal Sharing Capabilities

Deezer has also announced a new universal sharing feature.

When a song is shared with friends, recipients will be directed to a Deezer webpage.

This page will contain links to various streaming services where the song is available, including Spotify and Apple Music.

This ensures that even users without a Deezer account can access and enjoy the music.

Universal sharing is set to launch in late April.

Subscriber Numbers and Market Position

Despite nearing profitability, Deezer experienced a slight decrease in its subscriber base, declining from 10 million in 2023 to 9.7 million in 2024.

In comparison, Spotify boasts over 675 million monthly active users, including 263 million paying subscribers.