How to make an app like Shazam: Our complete guideline

Author: Kazim Shah

Do you remember the times when you were humming the half-remembered song and asking every friend of yours to recognize it? Or the times when you passionately googled the lyrics, hoping to find that earworm? Or you could still google them. If so, you should know about Shazam. The idea to create a music identification app wasn’t brand new.

Before Shazam, several companies tried to make different apps like Shazam. But their approach was not as efficient as Shazam’s. They were providing limited song identification to several radio stations. So users had to enter the exact time they heard the song and the radio station's name to find out what song was playing. 

Then, Shazam was launched. So, let’s learn more about another app like Shazam, how to make an app like Shazam, and its key features. Let’s explore together.

What is a Shazam App?

Shazam, the most popular song-finding app, launched in 2002. At Shazam App

Users can receive all the details about a song via SMS.

• You can identify a song you’re listening to anywhere, even in noisy environments.
• If the internet connection fails, your search is saved for later.

Shazam works well in various conditions:

• The app is available on iOS, Android, Apple Watch, Android Wear, and MacOS.
• There is a lightweight version for Android devices, under 1MB in size.

Planning to build an app like Shazam to boost your business? Get assistance from Android or iPhone app developers. This will ensure you create a robust and user-friendly app.

Steps to how to make an app like Shazam?

Building an app like Shazam is an exciting journey. Here's how to make an app like Shazam?

Step 1: Conduct Thorough Market Research

Start by understanding your market. Learn who your competitors are. What are their interests? What are user requirements in a music identification app? This step is crucial to identifying gaps you can fill.

• Identify competitors and analyze their offerings.
• Understand user needs and preferences.
• Look for gaps in the market that your app can address.

Step 2: Create a Business Plan and Model

Outline your business goals. Decide how your app will generate sales. Will you use commercials, premium subscriptions, or in-app purchases? A clear plan helps you stay on track.

Define your business objectives.

• Choose a revenue model (ads, subscriptions, in-app purchases).
• Create a roadmap for development and launch.

Step 3: Start the Development Process

Begin developing your app. Hire professional developers who can bring your vision to life. Focus on user-friendly design and easy functionality. Don’t forget to include features like offline mode and multi-platform help.

Hire experienced developers.

• Design an intuitive user interface.
• Ensure compatibility with multiple platforms (iOS, Android, etc.).

Step 4: Test and Maintain the Application

Before launching, test your app thoroughly. Fix any bugs and ensure it works well on all devices. Regular updates and maintenance keep your app running smoothly and users happy.

Conduct extensive testing to find and fix bugs.

• Ensure the app performs well on various devices.
• Plan for regular updates and maintenance.

Step 5: Launch the Application

Finally, launch your app. Promote it on social media, in commercials, and through collaborations. Conduct a complete consumer feedback survey and continuously enhance your app based on their guidelines.

Plan a marketing strategy for the launch.

• Use social media and advertisements to reach potential users.
• Collect and act on user feedback to enhance the app.

It's all about how to make an app like Shazam. Song's determination here is just a piece of the puzzle, and in order to succeed, the whole app should function flawlessly. It's important that your Shazam-like application brings some unique value to users, makes their lives more accessible, and entertains them. So, as you can see, another clone of the world’s famous app won’t work as an idea for a startup. Instead, you can analyze the market, utilize different business analysis services in the current music app market, and develop unique and value-giving software ideas.

Shazam-like application development is not easy but can be quite rewarding. These are some of the steps about how to make an app like Shazam that might help you get on track in creating your music identity application. Ready to get started?

Development features of how to make an app like Shazam:

Shazam is a fascinating app that individuals use day by day; subsequently, creating an app like Shazam requires several of the following functionalities that would ensure a constant and impressive client experience. Here’s an in-depth breakdown:

Account Creation

First, you need to allow users to create accounts. This feature helps users save their searches, preferences, and playlists.

•     User Profiles: Enable users to set up profiles where they can save their favorite songs and searches.
•         Social Media Integration: Allow sign-ups through social media accounts like Facebook, Google, or Twitter for quick and easy access.
•     Personalization: Use account data to personalize the user experience, suggesting new music based on previous searches and favorites.

Music Recognition Technology

The core feature of your app is the music recognition technology. It needs to be fast, accurate, and reliable.

•       Audio Sampling: Capture a short sample of the audio playing.
•         Database Matching: Compare the audio sample to a comprehensive database of songs.
•       Instant Results: Provide users with the song title, artist, and album in seconds.

Visualizing Audio

Visualizing audio can make the app more interactive and enjoyable.

•       Waveform Display: Show the audio waveform as the song plays.
•         Animated Visuals: Add animations that react to the music, enhancing the user experience.
•         Interactive Features: Allow users to interact with the visuals, such as tapping to see more information about the song.

Social Media

Integrating social media features can increase engagement and help promote your app.

•         Sharing Options: Let users share their music discoveries directly to their social media profiles.
•         Friend Lists: Allow users to connect with friends within the app, see what they’re listening to, and share recommendations.
•         Activity Feeds: Create a feed where users can see recent shares and activities from their friends.

Search Feature

A robust search feature is essential for user satisfaction.

•         Quick Search: Implement a fast and efficient search algorithm.
•         Autocomplete: Provide suggestions as users type, helping them find what they’re looking for more quickly.
•         Advanced Filters: Allow users to filter search results by artist, album, genre, and more.

Recent Searches

Keeping track of recent searches can greatly enhance user convenience.

•         Search History: Display a list of recently identified songs.
•       Easy Access: Allow users to revisit and play these songs quickly.
•         Management: Let users delete entries from their search history.

Visual Recognition

Expand the app’s capabilities with visual recognition.

•         Album Covers: Identify album covers and provide detailed information.
•         Movie Posters: Extend the feature to recognize movie posters, offering details and trailers.
•         Product Recognition: Use visual recognition to identify other products, providing links to purchase or learn more.

Offline Mode

Offline mode is a crucial feature for users on the go.

•         Search Storage: Save search queries and results when the user is offline.
•       Syncing: Automatically sync saved searches once the user is back online.

Minimal Data Usage: Ensure the app uses minimum facts whilst reconnecting, optimizing for customers with constrained internet access.

By specializing in those features, you can create a comprehensive and attractive app like Shazam. Each feature provides a giant price, ensuring your app no longer only draws customers but keeps them coming back for more.

Conclusion:

So, we wrap up how to make an app like Shazam. If you are following the same path of creating a music app like Shazam, SoundHound, or TrackID, you should understand that it is hard to compete with such big players. Also, keep in mind that Shazam received solid investments in the first round.

That’s all about how to make an app like Shazam. It's all about Today. If you have questions about apps like Shazam, you can ask anytime. We'll be glad to answer you. Enjoy a happy life!

FAQs

What is the Cost of developing an App Like Shazam?

The price depends on various factors, including capabilities, layout, and the improvement group's location. Keep in mind that adding superior functions or supporting more than one platform can increase the fee.

How much time will it take to Build an app like Shazam?

Developing an app usually takes 4 to 6 months, but it depends on the client's requirements. This consists of making plans, developing, testing, and launching. The timeline can vary totally depending on the complexity of the features and the experience of the improvement team.

What are the Advanced Features of Building an App Like Shazam?

Advanced features can make your app stand out. Some include:

•         Offline Mode: Identify songs without an internet connection.
•       Lyrics Display: Show lyrics in real-time.
•         Social Sharing: Let users share their findings on social media.
•         Voice Recognition: Use voice commands to find songs.
•         Multi-Platform Support: Ensure the app works on iOS, Android, and other devices.

What are the potential advantages of developing an application similar to Shazam?

Creating an app like Shazam offers several benefits:

•       User Engagement: Music identification apps are popular and keep users engaged.
•         Revenue Potential: Earn money through ads, premium subscriptions, or in-app purchases.
•         Brand Recognition: Build a strong brand in the tech and music industry.
•     Innovation: Stay ahead by offering unique features and a great user experience.

References:

https://devtechnosys.com/insights/build-an-app-like-shazam/

https://www.cleveroad.com/blog/how-to-develop-a-shazam-like-application/