A Fresh Take on Discovery
Qobuz announced in September 2025 a major overhaul of its Discover page — a redesign aimed at crafting a discovery experience that balances human-curated selections with personalized recommendations. Qobuz describes itself as a “digital record store in a world of supermarkets,” and with this update, it leans further into that identity: editorially driven, listener-centric, and less reliant on opaque algorithms. The update strengthens its reputation as the streaming service that values sound quality and editorial depth as much as convenience.
Three “Universes” of Discovery
The new Discover experience is structured into three distinct universes:
- Home: Combines Our Picks (editorial) and For You (personalized). Includes New Releases, Playlists, Awards, Ideal Discography, and Qobuzissime — all refined by your listening history.
- Editor’s Picks: 100% human-curated. Qobuz’s editorial team highlights emerging artists, iconic recordings, and cross-genre playlists — with no algorithmic interference.
- For You: Qobuz’s recommendation engine, guided by editorial oversight. Includes Your Mixes, Release Watch, Recently Played, similar-artist suggestions, and radio stations aligned with their listening history.
A new addition is Release Watch where users can follow artists, labels, or awards, and see new releases in real time as a live feed on the homepage.
Why This Matters
- Resisting echo chambers: Many streaming services lean heavily on algorithms, often reinforcing what users already listen to. Qobuz’s hybrid design helps mitigate that by giving editorial “breathing room.”
- Context over curation: With Spotlight and editorial tie-ins, listeners get more than surface-level recs; they get context, stories, label histories, and more.
- Listeners get smarter pathways: Given Qobuz’s identity as a HiRes / quality-focused service, this redesign reinforces its value proposition: you’re not just discovering more, you’re discovering better.
- Retention and stickiness: Features like Release Watch and Spotlight encourage users to stay engaged — they serve as discovery anchors rather than passive recommendation churns.
User Experience Tips
Here’s how to make the most of the new Discover experience:
- Enable Release Watch for a few artists or labels you follow.
- Explore Editor’s Picks for genres you don’t often browse.
- Use Spotlight when hearing a new track: see context, discography, articles.
- Compare Your Mixes pre- and post-update to see how tastes shift.
The Strategic Move
This redesign is more than aesthetic — it’s Qobuz doubling down on its “audiophile-plus-curator-first” ethos. The update positions the service for listeners who want a richer, more meaningful discovery experience — not just algorithmic autoplay. Expect further refinements in the months ahead, such as deeper editorial integration, expanded regional variation, and AI-assisted yet human-guided recommendations.
