Netflix announced a new feature: the profile transfer, which allows you to move lists, recommendations and viewing history to another account. An option that could come in handy if you want leave the account of an ex-partner or you were ready to break away from that of your parents, for example. But which many suspect is the first step towards an effective blocking of password sharing.
Netflix launches profile transfer: first move to stop sharing?
According to Netflix itself, the new feature allows you to migrate “personalized recommendations, viewing history, My List, saved games and other settings” to a new account. Your entire profile, simply on another payment plan.
Transferring your profile to Netflix seems really simple. Just select your profile at the top right of the main screen and select Transfer Profile. The process will guide you in creaction of a new account starting from the profile you already have.
This allows you to don’t miss the viewing tips, which depending on how much you use the platform could help you find what you like in the middle of the ocean of streaming Netflix content. Without ‘forcing’ you to review Friends for the seventieth time just to make the algorithm understand that you love sitcoms.
This feature, taken alone, no doubt is useful. For example, if you want to stop sharing the account with your roommate after the transfer, or if you want to abolish the account you shared with an ex-partner or parents, this option makes it easier.
Ma taken in context of Netflix’s latest statements, there seems to be another explanation.
The end of account sharing is approaching
Impossible not to notice that this feature comes after more than a year in which Netflix talks about the end of password sharing. Although since launch it was not formally possible to share your account with people (relatives or friends) outside their home, many users have done so. According to Netflix, over 100 million homes around the world share the account.
Netflix has tested profile transfer to March in Chile, Costa Rica and Peru. And sembre in South America has tested its strategies to block account sharing outside the home, with warnings in case the same password is used. on different Wi-Fi networks.
In countries where he has started testing, he asks to pay around 2.99 euror (depending on the country) to add a new user to their family profile such as Extra Member. And recently, in addition to the profile transfer, Netflix has also launched a new one in Italy Basic subscription with Advertising to lower the cost of opening an account. In short: it seems is preparing the ground to permanently cut the number of people sharing passwords.
This measure could really solve Netflix’s problems
For years, Netflix remained the only streamer on the market. Or at least the only one big enough to attract both fans and those who watch streaming TV series only when they find time. In that period it continued to grow, also thanks to competitive prices. And the possibility to share them with friends and relatives swithout consequences, which many have exploited (although it was contrary to policy).
In the first quarter of 2022, the streaming giant reported a loss of users equal to 200,000 subscribers. And compared to last year, its market share is dropped from 32 to 27%. The main reason is that other platforms like Disney+ e Apple TV+despite having less content, they have been able to focus a lot on some original content and above all have offered a competitive price.
Of the main rivals (Disney, Amazon, Apple, HBO Warner), Netflix is the only one that has streaming subscriptions as its sole source of income. So it seems understandable that she is the only one who needs to make sure that everyone watching her streaming series pays the full subscription price right now.
The effect ofBasic subscription with Advertising and the new measures to block sharing will have an impact on the market that is not easy to predict at the moment. Netflix is the most followed platform for a reason: perhaps very many will carry out the profile transfer to open a new account. Or maybe they could rturn to increasingly fierce competition. What do you think about it? Let us know in the comments.