TikTok Launches New “Sound Search” Feature to Compete with Music Recognition Apps

TikTok is expanding its capabilities with a new feature called “Sound Search,” designed to identify songs through singing, humming, or playing. Currently available to select users in specific regions, this tool aims to enhance the app's music discovery experience, particularly in a landscape where song trends evolve rapidly. By allowing users to find songs in a more interactive way, TikTok is positioning itself as a competitor to established music recognition services like YouTube Music and Shazam. The functionality of Sound Search mirrors that of YouTube Music’s song detection tool, which also identifies songs through vocal input. However, TikTok’s feature goes a step further by not only identifying songs but also showcasing videos that incorporate those tracks. This dual functionality could provide users with a richer understanding of current trends and popular content associated with specific songs. Initial testing of the feature indicates that it performs well with widely recognized songs, such as Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” quickly linking users to popular videos featuring the track. However, the tool appears to struggle with less popular songs that are not frequently used in videos. Users can access Sound Search by navigating to the search bar, clicking the microphone icon, and selecting the feature. As TikTok continues to innovate, the introduction of Sound Search reflects its strategy to enhance music discovery on its platform while encroaching on the territories of Shazam and YouTube Music. The timeline for a broader rollout of this feature remains unclear.