Apple announced that Shazam has now recognized over 100 billion songs since its inception in 2002. The app, acquired by Apple in 2018 for $400 million, is seamlessly integrated into Apple’s operating systems and streaming services, making it a core feature for music lovers.
Impressive Statistics
- The 100 billion identifications equate to roughly 12 songs per person worldwide.
- Hypothetically, it would take a single person over 3,168 years to recognize all these tracks if identifying one song per second.
The first song to reach 10 million recognitions on Shazam was “Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone, achieving this feat in just 178 days. To reach 100 billion recognitions at the current pace, it would take 4,800 years!
From Humble Beginnings to a Global Phenomenon
Shazam launched in 2002 under the name 2580, available exclusively in the UK. Users dialed the short code “2580,” held their phone up to a music source, and received the song’s details via SMS.
In 2008, the service transitioned into a dedicated iOS app, followed by versions for other platforms. In just three years, Shazam identified its first 1 billion songs and has since become a staple across all major mobile platforms.
Shazam’s Legacy and Competition
To celebrate this milestone, Apple released a curated list of the 100 most recognized songs of all time on Shazam.
Meanwhile, YouTube Music and TikTok now allow users to search for songs by humming or whistling melodies, pushing the boundaries of music recognition technology.
Shazam’s journey from a niche SMS service to a ubiquitous music discovery tool highlights its pivotal role in shaping the way people engage with music today.
