TikTok is stepping up its game by introducing “Sound Search,” a new tool aimed at competing with YouTube Music and Shazam. This feature enables users to identify a sound by singing, humming, or playing it. TechCrunch has verified that this feature is presently in a test phase, available to a limited number of users in certain areas, without a global rollout yet.
With Sound Search, discovering music on the app becomes more versatile. In an environment where musical trends evolve swiftly, this feature can aid users in uncovering and comprehending the latest musical phenomena.
TikTok’s Sound Search bears resemblance to the song recognition feature of YouTube Music, allowing users to determine a song by singing, humming, or playing it. While Shazam is a well-recognized name in song identification, TikTok and YouTube Music are broadening the horizon by enabling song identification through vocal mimicry or humming, an advancement over Shazam’s requirement of the original track to be played.
Besides helping to identify song names, TikTok’s feature stands out by linking users to videos incorporating those songs, offering a more immersive discovery experience.
Based on personal tests, it appears the tool’s ability to identify a song correlates with its popularity on the platform. For instance, a humming rendition of Rihanna’s “Umbrella” was quickly recognized, followed by a display of trending videos featuring the song. Similarly, the recognizable “oh no oh no oh no no no” sound was identified with remarkable speed.
Nonetheless, the tool shows limits with songs not widely used in popular videos, providing more generic results in such cases, as observed with Hilary Duff’s “Fly” and One Direction’s “Magic.”
TikTok clarified to TechCrunch that while the feature aims to identify songs, it successfully detected specific sounds and memes popular on TikTok during our evaluation.
For those with access, locating the feature is straightforward: simply go to the search bar, click the microphone icon, and choose “Sound Search.”
Many already turn to TikTok for searching content, and this novel feature bolsters its role as a dynamic search tool. Whether you’re haunted by an earworm or encounter a captivating melody, TikTok aspires to be your go-to over YouTube Music, Shazam, or even Google.
Given the pivotal role sounds play on TikTok in driving trends and sometimes catapulting songs to chart success, it’s evident why the platform is eager to enhance song discovery and edge into territory traditionally held by Shazam and YouTube Music.
The wide release date of this feature remains under wraps.
Compiled by Techarena.au.
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