Shazam, the popular music recognition app, has officially surpassed a staggering 100 billion song recognitions since its launch in 2002. This monumental achievement underscores Shazam’s pivotal role in music discovery and highlights the growing appetite for identifying and exploring music around the world.
To put the milestone into perspective, 100 billion song recognitions are equivalent to identifying 12 songs for every person on Earth. For one person to reach this figure, they would need to Shazam a song every second for an astonishing 3,168 years.
Shazam’s most-tagged song, Tones and I’s “Dance Monkey,” has been identified over 45 million times, a remarkable feat on its own. Yet, the 100-billion milestone represents more than 2,200 times that number. More recently, “Beautiful Things” by Shazam Predictions 2023 alum Benson Boone became the fastest track this year to hit 10 million recognitions, doing so in just 178 days. At that pace, it would still take over 4,800 years for the song to reach 100 billion tags.
From SMS Service to Global Innovation Leader
Shazam’s journey began in 2002 as an SMS service in the UK, where users would dial 2580, hold their phones up to identify music, and receive the song title and artist via text message. The introduction of the App Store in 2008 and the subsequent launch of Shazam’s iOS app revolutionized its reach, bringing its music recognition technology to millions worldwide. By 2011, Shazam had already identified over 1 billion songs.
In 2018, Shazam became part of the Apple family, accelerating its growth and technological innovation. Recent advancements include Music Recognition on iOS and macOS, allowing users to identify songs directly within apps or even while using headphones. The latest watchOS update integrates Shazam into the Smart Stack, suggesting music recognition whenever nearby audio is detected. On recent iPhones and Apple Watches, a simple press-and-hold of the Action button instantly identifies songs, further enhancing accessibility for music fans.
Android users haven’t been left behind, with Shazam’s Wear OS update enabling song recognition from smartwatches and Quick Settings tiles offering seamless access to recognition history. These updates ensure that Shazam remains at the forefront of music discovery, catering to over 300 million monthly active users.
A Testament to Music Discovery
“This monumental milestone not only reflects how much people enjoy using Shazam, but also their appetite for new music,”
said Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Apple Music and Beats.
“Music discovery is at the core of everything we do, and we keep innovating to make sure music lovers around the world can tap the Shazam button no matter where they hear music playing.”
Shazam’s influence extends beyond individual users. During this summer’s games in Paris, Kavinsky’s “Nightcall” became the most Shazamed song in one minute, showcasing the app’s ability to capture cultural moments and trends.
As Shazam continues to break records and innovate, its impact on the music industry and the lives of listeners worldwide remains undeniable. To celebrate its success, users can explore Shazam’s Top 100 Songs of All Time playlist on Apple Music—a curated collection of some of the most iconic tracks ever identified.
With its ever-growing influence and user base, Shazam shows no signs of slowing down, cementing its place as a leader in music discovery and technology.
