How does Shazam work?
by datadrivenangel on 4/20/2026, 3:04:04 PM
https://perthirtysix.com/how-the-heck-does-shazam-work
Comments
by: swyx
related comments from Shazamers<p>- OG shazam paper <a href="https://www.ee.columbia.edu/~dpwe/papers/Wang03-shazam.pdf" rel="nofollow">https://www.ee.columbia.edu/~dpwe/papers/Wang03-shazam.pdf</a> (he has a talk on youtube btw look it up if really care)<p>- <a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18069968">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18069968</a> shazam employee blogpost<p>- <a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38538996">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38538996</a> shazam cofounder endorsed explainer<p>- go algo repro <a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41127726">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41127726</a><p>as with all ML things... the code is much less % of the value than the data...
4/23/2026, 4:17:16 AM
by: thakoppno
Perhaps obviously this is the same technique that enables ACR on TVs.<p>It occurs to me that Shazam has such a better reputation online because the intent and consent of the user is honored.<p>It makes me wonder if there couldn’t be an implementation on TVs that is similar and actually is a net positive for consumers. Basically would customers actually like TV ACR if the data wasn’t just going to sell more ads?
4/23/2026, 4:39:59 AM
by: larodi
There's an algo called dynamic time warping (DTW) and is very often overlooked. My wild guess would be is at play @Shazam.
4/23/2026, 5:26:46 AM
by: Animats
Recognizing a recording isn't hard to do, because, for the same recording, the chords follow each other with precisely repeatable timing. That's been around for well over a decade. Recognizing a different recording, say, a, cover version, of the same song, is much more work.<p>Audible Magic claims to be able to recognize multiple performances of the same songs, and even parodies.[1] Using, of course, "AI technology" and much more compute.<p>[1] <a href="https://www.audiblemagic.com/2024/02/07/identifying-cover-songs-live-performances-ai-clones-and-more/" rel="nofollow">https://www.audiblemagic.com/2024/02/07/identifying-cover-so...</a>
4/23/2026, 4:17:20 AM
by: gnabgib
Again? Oh I see.. SCP (this domain is sus)<p>From CameronMacLeod (2022) - and much more complete analysis (587 points, 2023, 155 comments) <a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38531428">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38531428</a><p>Or Slate (2009) (50 points, 16 comments) <a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=893353">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=893353</a>
4/23/2026, 3:55:52 AM
by: dataviz1000
Add to my list of projects. Dinosaur game but with audible clucks to jump.
4/23/2026, 4:27:53 AM
by: G_o_D
Out of curiosity is it possible to prevent shazam like app from detecting maybe by adding noise or any technique ?
4/23/2026, 4:45:55 AM
by: krishna_dam
Surprised to see how that got it worked with out all the "AI" bluff
4/23/2026, 4:49:21 AM
by: cellular
I did this for a science project in 1986 on an Apple ][c computer !
4/23/2026, 3:46:12 AM
by: flyuk
Nice article - enjoyed reading!
4/23/2026, 4:55:07 AM
by: blackjackfoe
No "AI" required!
4/23/2026, 4:43:45 AM
by: wood_spirit
Reminds me of Roy Van Rijn’s prototype that got a cease and desist letter! Lots of community disappointment at the time!<p><a href="https://hn.algolia.com/?q=royvanrijn" rel="nofollow">https://hn.algolia.com/?q=royvanrijn</a>
4/23/2026, 4:41:52 AM
by: yawpitch
This has been explained so many times… a wizard imbued the kid with the powers of Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury.
4/23/2026, 4:51:07 AM
by: dackdel
voodoo
4/23/2026, 4:29:58 AM