TikTok has unveiled a new feature called “Sound Search” that is designed to rival established music recognition tools like Shazam and YouTube Music.
Currently being tested in select countries, Sound Search allows users to identify songs by singing, humming, or playing a short snippet of the track.
This new tool can be accessed by tapping the microphone icon in TikTok’s search bar and selecting “Sound Search.”
Unlike Shazam, which requires the song to be playing for recognition, TikTok’s Sound Search can identify tracks even if users only hum or sing them.
The feature also stands out by showing related videos that use the identified sound, providing a richer context beyond just the song’s name.
Initial tests show that Sound Search performs well with popular songs, such as Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” but struggles with less common tracks like Hilary Duff’s “Fly.” It also successfully identifies viral TikTok sounds and memes.
TikTok has not yet announced when Sound Search will be available to all users, but it represents a strategic move to enhance music discovery and capitalize on the app’s trend-driven platform.
