TikTok’s new SoundSearch feature lets you find music by singing or humming into the app

[MusicTech]

TikTok is reportedly rolling out a new feature called Sound Search, which lets users identify songs by singing, humming, or playing them in the app.

Sound Search, which is still in its testing phase and is currently only available to a limited number of users in selected regions, can be accessed through a microphone icon on the app’s search bar.

TikTok’s newest tool follows YouTube Music’s recent rollout of a similar song-detection feature, in which users can also detect the name of a song by humming its tune or singing its lyrics. Like YouTube Music, TikTok now allows users to identify trending songs and sounds without needing to exit the app or use a separate music identification app like Shazam.

Sound Search, however, goes a little beyond both Shazam and YouTube Music; not only does it identify individual tracks, but it also takes the user to popular, trending videos that use the song in question. Although the tool primarily exists to find songs, it is also able to detect other sounds, including fresh memes.

Initial tests carried out by TechCrunch indicate that Sound Search is effective in identifying popular tracks; however, it is more inconsistent when it comes to less mainstream music and older songs. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, it also reportedly seems better at recognising sounds that have found popularity on the TikTok app.

With TikTok’s burgeoning popularity as a search engine, as well as the increasingly significant role the app plays in creating chart-topping hits and popularising songs, Sound Search may potentially allow artists to get more exposure from popular trends and sounds featuring their music.

It is not yet known when TikTok plans to make Sound Search available for all users; however, as YouTube Music has launched a similar feature recently, a wider release is expected in the coming weeks or months.

Alongside Sound Search, TikTok has also been testing a plethora of other features, including the ability to upload videos up to 60 minutes, as well as a lyric-generating tool, both of which could also make their way to the app soon.

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