Shazam, the popular song identification app owned by Apple, announces a staggering milestone of 100 billion song recognitions since its inception.
The app’s journey is nothing short of impressive. What started as a simple SMS service in the UK back in 2002 has transformed into a global music discovery phenomenon. Initially, music fans would dial a specific number and hold their phones up to identify tracks, receiving song details via text message.
A significant turning point came in 2008 with Shazam’s launch on the App Store, which brought music recognition technology to millions of users worldwide. By 2011, the app had already identified over 1 billion songs, and its popularity continued to soar.
Apple acquired Shazam in 2018 for $400 million, subsequently expanding its capabilities. The app has since introduced innovative features like music recognition across iOS and macOS devices, a widget for watchOS, and integration with various platforms including TikTok and Instagram.
“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.
To put the 100 billion recognitions into perspective, it would take an individual using Shazam to identify a song every second for an incredible 3,168 consecutive years. The app has become a cultural touchstone, capturing global music trends and memorable moments – such as Kavinsky’s Nightcall becoming the most identified song in a single minute during the Paris Olympics.
One remarkable recent achievement is Benson Boone’s Beautiful Things, which reached 10 million recognitions in just 178 days – a testament to the app’s role in music discovery.
With over 300 million monthly active users, Shazam continues to connect music lovers across the globe, proving that the joy of discovering new music remains as strong as ever.
