You know the deal—making music is only half the battle. Getting your tracks in front of the right listeners is what takes you to the next level. That’s where Shazam comes in—still one of the best tools out there for music lovers to discover fresh tracks and, in turn, uncover new artists and musicians like you.
Here’s the thing: if your music pops off on Shazam, it can spark real momentum for your music career. Think viral moments, playlist additions, and fans who can’t stop replaying your songs. The more plays you get, the closer you are to turning heads in the industry. In this guide, we’ll explore proven, actionable ways to get more plays on Shazam and give your profile a serious boost.
Why Getting More Shazam Plays is Crucial?
High play counts look impressive, but the real power of getting more Shazams goes far deeper. They signal that your track is grabbing ears and can open doors you didn’t even know existed. Gaining popularity on Shazam connects you to a world of opportunity—from new fans to major industry moves. Here’s how:
1. Enhances Track Visibility
Each time someone Shazams your song, it gets flagged as a track worth hearing. That extra attention pushes it into charts, recommendations, and app spotlights, making it easier for a larger audience to discover you. It’s like turning the volume all the way up on your music.
2. Boosts Artist Credibility
Nothing says, “This artist is worth your time,” like data to back it up. More plays mean more traction, helping establish you as a legit act and catching the eyes (and ears) of fans and industry players alike. It screams professional potential.
3. Increases Playlist Opportunities
Playlist curators—both human and algorithmic—are constantly scanning for songs that stand out. Get more plays on Shazam, and you’ll have a higher chance of being noticed. It’s that simple. Appear on one major playlist, and boom—you’re in front of thousands of potential fans, hungry to hear what you’ve got.
4. Expands Fanbase Reach
Every new play brings you closer to another fan. These aren’t passive listeners—they actively want to know who you are and what you do. As they hear your unique sound, they’ll spread the word, helping you build your following and climb the ladder faster.
How to Increase Plays on Shazam
You can’t just sit back and wait for plays to roll in—you need a game plan. To get more plays on Shazam, you need to stand out, make noise, and grab attention where it matters most. With this in mind, here are nine practical ways to step up your game and boost those plays:
1. Buy Shazam Plays
When you’re just starting out or want to supercharge a track’s momentum, buying Shazam plays can be a game-changer. High play counts signal credibility and catch attention fast. It’s like skipping the grind and diving straight into the perks—boosted visibility, algorithms working in your favor, and sparking curiosity from potential fans.
When you buy high-quality Shazam plays from GetAFollower, you’re not just adding empty numbers. These are real, active listeners engaging with your music—no bots or shortcuts. Plus, you’re covered with a long-term retention warranty and a full money-back guarantee. It’s the quickest way to jumpstart engagement while keeping it 100% legit.
2. Verify Your Shazam Profile
A verified profile is like a backstage pass to the music world—it tells listeners you’re the real deal. That shiny blue tick builds trust and ensures your tracks are properly attributed every time they’re tagged. To get verified, start by linking your Shazam account to your artist profile.
Go the extra mile by adding professional, eye-catching cover art, a bio that resonates, and up-to-date links to your socials. Keep your profile fresh with regular updates, especially when you have new music or upcoming releases. A polished, professional presence not only sets you apart but also boosts your chances of attracting more plays.
3. Produce High-Quality Tracks
Low-grade tracks aren’t going to impress anyone—not even your most loyal fans. Great music, on the other hand, is memorable, shareable, and worth discovering. Start with top-notch recording: invest in quality mics, audio interfaces, and an acoustically suitable space to minimize unwanted noise.
Then move on to mixing and mastering: use EQ to enhance clarity, compression to add punch, and effects sparingly to complement your sound. Focus on strong hooks, fresh sounds, and seamless transitions that keep listeners coming back for more. Nail these details, and you’ll not only get more plays on Shazam but also grow a loyal fanbase that truly loves your work.
4. Release Tracks at Peak Times
Timing is everything. If you release tracks when your audience isn’t paying attention, they won’t gain the traction they deserve. Study your listeners: are they more active during weekday mornings or late-night weekends? Use analytics from your streaming platforms and social media to identify patterns.
Keep an eye on your competitors as well—when do they drop new music? Take notes and plan your releases strategically. Once you find your sweet spot, stick to it consistently. Releasing tracks at peak times boosts your visibility when your audience is most active, increasing the likelihood of your songs being played on Shazam.
5. Create & Share Playlists
Playlists are powerful tools to introduce people to your sound and push your tracks up the charts. Craft carefully curated playlists that mix your music with similar tracks, maintaining a consistent vibe or theme. Think genres, moods, or specific scenarios—like “Late-Night Drives” or “Indie Rock Gems.”
Your tracks will naturally stand out when paired with complementary artists. Next, share these playlists strategically. Post them on your social media, collaborate with other artists for cross-promotion, or submit them to platforms that accept independent playlists.
Avoid spamming; focus on adding value to your audience. Playlists boost engagement, attract new listeners, and encourage people to Shazam your songs when they discover something they love.
6. Collaborate with Other Artists
Partnerships aren’t just about making great music—they’re about tapping into someone else’s fanbase to boost your reach. Teaming up with other artists can expose your music to listeners who might not have discovered you otherwise, increasing your chances of getting Shazamed.
But don’t limit yourself to typical ideas—get creative. Consider collaborating with DJs to create a remix that pops off in clubs or at festivals. Partner with radio stations for exclusive live performances or interviews, ensuring your track gets airtime.
Connect with bloggers for joint promo campaigns, such as offering free downloads for their readers. You can even team up with influencers for innovative content, like a dance challenge or a behind-the-scenes look at your creative process. Fresh ideas equal bigger audiences.
7. Promote Your Tracks Everywhere
The more people see your music, the more likely they are to Shazam it. But it’s not just about promoting—it’s about promoting smartly across multiple channels:
- Music Streaming Platforms: Platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Deezer are essential. Create catchy visuals for your releases and actively promote links to these platforms, where Shazam integration is strong.
- Music Blogs: Pitch your tracks to sites like Pigeons & Planes, Earmilk, or Indie Shuffle. A write-up from a respected blog boosts your credibility and puts you in front of music fans who are eager to discover new artists.
- Websites: Build a clean, pro artist site with a tracklist, blog updates, and Shazam-friendly widgets (also pop-ups). A site lets you control your narrative and promote your music all in one spot.
- Other Social Media: Use Instagram Stories, reels, and hashtags to showcase your new releases. Build momentum with regular posts on Facebook and connect with communities on X (formerly Twitter) to hype your music. Incorporate interactive campaigns like polls or Q&A sessions to directly engage with fans.
- Live Performances: Always give shout-outs to Shazam for your tracks at gigs! Live music creates emotional moments, and Shazam bridges that experience by letting fans save and re-listen.
8. Offer Exclusive Shazam Perks
To turn casual listeners into devoted fans, offer something irresistible. By creating time-limited or special perks tied to Shazam, you give fans a reason to play your tracks and stay engaged. Think outside the box. For example, drop a secret song teaser that unlocks only for fans who Shazam a specific track.
Offer discounts on merch or concert tickets exclusively for Shazam users. Create bonus content like “The Story Behind the Song” or studio footage that gets emailed to those who’ve tagged your track. You could even grant access to unreleased remixes or VIP meet-and-greet invites. These perks create buzz and encourage people to Shazam and interact with your music more often.
9. Analyze Data & Optimize
Shazam isn’t just a discovery platform—it’s a goldmine of data that can help you fine-tune your music and strategy. Analytics should be your best friend when growing your fanbase. Start by monitoring key metrics like play counts, tags by location, and song performance over time.
Dive deeper to spot trends: Where is your track performing well? Who’s Shazaming it? Use this information to tailor your promotions. Focus on gigs and ads in high-performing regions or plan a remix campaign in markets with high interest. Treat your Shazam account as a constantly evolving blueprint for success.
Shazam’s most valuable tools for artists are its data-driven insights. If you’re not analyzing and adapting, you’re leaving plays—and potential fans—on the table.
In Summary
Let’s be real—your music could be the most epic, soul-stirring masterpiece ever. But if no one hears it, it won’t get the recognition it deserves. Quality matters, but in today’s music world, active promotion is a game-changer. From clever collaborations to mastering playlists and timing your releases like a pro, every move counts.
The secret to standing out lies in combining top-tier music with relentless hustle. Whether you’re building credibility, growing your fanbase, or simply looking to get more plays on Shazam, consistency is everything. So, gear up, take action, and remember—you don’t just want to be heard; you want to make waves. Now go claim your spotlight!