Boosting user engagement with purposeful feature design
Shazam was seeking to deepen user retention and engagement beyond its core song identification feature. Recognizing the growing trend of social and community-driven experiences, I led an initiative to explore opportunities for fostering a richer connection between users and the app. Through in-depth qualitative user research, I synthesized insights to ideate features that introduced community and social interactions, transforming Shazam into a platform where music discovery sparked deeper engagement, collaboration, and connection.
Client
Shazam
Scope
UXD | Research/discovery | Conceptualization | Native
Year
2020
Tuning into user needs and opportunities
To address Shazam’s goal of boosting user retention and engagement, I began by conducting in-depth user interviews to uncover qualitative insights. These conversations highlighted the importance of social connection and music discovery in users' lives. Many users described the joy of discovering tracks in shared moments—at clubs, DJ sets, or parties—but expressed frustration when these discoveries weren’t easily shared afterward. To organize and synthesize these findings, I created an empathy map, identifying trends that emphasized the desire to connect with like-minded music enthusiasts and explore their friends’ musical journeys.
To address Shazam’s goal of boosting user retention and engagement, I began by conducting in-depth user interviews to uncover qualitative insights. These conversations highlighted the importance of social connection and music discovery in users' lives. Many users described the joy of discovering tracks in shared moments—at clubs, DJ sets, or parties—but expressed frustration when these discoveries weren’t easily shared afterward. To organize and synthesize these findings, I created an empathy map, identifying trends that emphasized the desire to connect with like-minded music enthusiasts and explore their friends’ musical journeys.
What do they
Think?
My friend will text me their shazams after a night out.
The features of this app are limited.
What else has this artist made?
Is this the right song?
What do they
Say?
I usually share links in group chats.
People always share music with me.
I want to see what my friends Shazam.
Send me the songs we discover together.
How do they
Feel?
Disappointed by inaccurate results.
Frustrated sharing results mid-event.
Excited when friends share songs.
Thrilled discovering a new artist.
What do they
Do?
Screenshots Shazam results.
Checks Shazam history after night out.
Shares Shazam screenshots with friends.
Uses Shazam often during DJ sets.
Research takeaways:
Users use the app while they are out together and often forget to share Shazams with each other after a night out.
Once a song is identified, a user must share the song through another platform (sms, whatsapp, etc).
Users expressed interest and excitement when asked if they are interested in following their friend's Shazam histories.
Users have really niche music tastes and prefer connecting with others who share similar tastes.
Ideation fueled by insights
Using insights gathered during research, I facilitated brainstorming sessions with “How Might We” prompts, encouraging innovative thinking. I also conducted competitor analyses to understand the landscape and identify gaps where Shazam could thrive. From this process, I proposed features like user profiles showcasing liked and recently Shazamed music, a track-history tracker, and the ability to connect with others who share similar tastes. Prioritizing these ideas for feasibility and impact, I designed features that were both innovative and technically achievable.
Using insights gathered during research, I facilitated brainstorming sessions with “How Might We” prompts, encouraging innovative thinking. I also conducted competitor analyses to understand the landscape and identify gaps where Shazam could thrive. From this process, I proposed features like user profiles showcasing liked and recently Shazamed music, a track-history tracker, and the ability to connect with others who share similar tastes. Prioritizing these ideas for feasibility and impact, I designed features that were both innovative and technically achievable.
Application map and architecture
1.0
Home
2.0
My music
2.0.1
Shazams
2.0.2
Likes
2.0.3
Artists
2.0.4
Recents
2.0.5
Playlists
2.1
My Friends
2.1.2
Following
2.1.3
Followers
2.1.4
Recents
2.1.5
Likes
2.1.6
Who to follow
2.2
Search 🔍
2.3
Settings ⚙️
Existing
New
1.0
Home
1.1
My music
1.1.1
Shazams
1.1.2
Likes
1.1.3
Artists
1.1.4
Recents
1.1.5
Playlists
1.2
My Friends
1.2.1
Following
1.2.2
Followers
1.2.3
Recents
1.2.4
Likes
1.2.5
Who to follow
1.3
🔍
1.4
⚙️
Application map and architecture
New feature
Existing
Primary task/screen flows
User wants to find a track their friend Shazamed.
Taps “My friends”
“My friends”
Taps “Following”
List of followers
Locates user
User's profile
Browses history
Track ID
User wants to see who else Shazamed the same song.
Shazams a song
Track ID
Taps number of shazams
List of users who Shazamed
Taps a username
User profile
Browses users history
User wants to search for and then follow a friend.
Taps “My friends”
“My friends”
Taps “Search”
Enters name in field
Selects user from results
User's profile
Taps “Follow”
Action
Screen
High-view user flow for new features
High-view user flow for new features
Track ID
is this the right song?
Plays preview
Like or Save?
View track's Shazam history?
Stream/
download?
Taps ♥︎ icon
Taps number of Shazams
List of users
Taps on a username
User's Profile
Follow User?
"My friends" feed
Taps on a track in feed
Track ID
"My friends" feed
Browses "Who to follow"
Screen
Action
Question
Crafting and validating the experience
Leveraging Shazam’s existing design system, I developed wireframes to bring these concepts to life, updating components as needed to support new functionality. High-fidelity prototypes were tested with users to validate workflows and ensure clarity and engagement. Feedback from these tests informed iterative improvements, enhancing both usability and alignment with user needs. The final deliverables provided a cohesive design solution that transformed Shazam from a utility-focused app into a platform fostering community, deeper engagement, and an enriched music discovery experience.
Leveraging Shazam’s existing design system, I developed wireframes to bring these concepts to life, updating components as needed to support new functionality. High-fidelity prototypes were tested with users to validate workflows and ensure clarity and engagement. Feedback from these tests informed iterative improvements, enhancing both usability and alignment with user needs. The final deliverables provided a cohesive design solution that transformed Shazam from a utility-focused app into a platform fostering community, deeper engagement, and an enriched music discovery experience.
What do they
Do?
Screenshots Shazam results.
Checks Shazam history after night out.
Shares Shazam screenshots with friends.
Uses Shazam often during DJ sets.
What do they
Think?
My friend will text me their shazams after a night out.
The features of this app are limited.
What else has this artist made?
Is this the right song?
How do they
Feel?
Disappointed by inaccurate results.
Frustrated sharing results mid-event.
Excited when friends share songs.
Thrilled discovering a new artist.
What do they
Say?
I usually share links in group chats.
People always share music with me.
I want to see what my friends Shazam.
Send me the songs we discover together.
Primary task flows
User wants to find a track their friend Shazamed.
Taps “My Friends”
“My Friends”
Taps “Following”
List of Followers
Locates User
User Profile
Browses History
Track ID
User wants to search for, then follow a friend.
Taps “My Friends”
“My Friends”
Taps “Search”
Enters name in field
Selects user from results
User's profile
Taps “Follow”
User wants to see a song's shazam history.
Shazams a Song
Track ID
Taps number of Shazams
Taps a username
User profile
Browses user's history
List of users who shazamed
Action
Screen
Seamless login for effortless access
The login experience has been reimagined to make accessing your music and connections effortless. On iOS devices, the login button is conveniently located in the top-right corner, blending seamlessly with native design patterns. Users can log in via a sleek, modal tab that slides down from the top, offering a fluid and familiar interaction. For Apple users, integration with Apple ID ensures a fast, secure, and hassle-free process. This design choice enhances the user experience by reducing cognitive load and barriers to entry, creating a smoother onboarding process.
The login experience has been reimagined to make accessing your music and connections effortless. On iOS devices, the login button is conveniently located in the top-right corner, blending seamlessly with native design patterns. Users can log in via a sleek, modal tab that slides down from the top, offering a fluid and familiar interaction. For Apple users, integration with Apple ID ensures a fast, secure, and hassle-free process. This design choice enhances the user experience by reducing cognitive load and barriers to entry, creating a smoother onboarding process.
Making music discovery more personal and social
The Discover Tab brings a fresh, interactive dimension to Shazam, turning music discovery into a shared experience. Located just below the My Music tab, it introduces a space where users can explore the Shazams and recent likes of the people they follow. By allowing users to like and save songs directly to their My Music tab, it bridges the gap between personal discovery and social interaction. This feature fosters a sense of connection, creating a dynamic and engaging way to explore new music through the tastes of others. With its seamless integration into the app, the Discover Tab transforms Shazam into more than just a tool—it becomes a community-driven platform for sharing and exploring music together.
The Discover Tab brings a fresh, interactive dimension to Shazam, turning music discovery into a shared experience. Located just below the My Music tab, it introduces a space where users can explore the Shazams and recent likes of the people they follow. By allowing users to like and save songs directly to their My Music tab, it bridges the gap between personal discovery and social interaction. This feature fosters a sense of connection, creating a dynamic and engaging way to explore new music through the tastes of others. With its seamless integration into the app, the Discover Tab transforms Shazam into more than just a tool—it becomes a community-driven platform for sharing and exploring music together.
Connecting through shared music tastes
Shazam History adds depth to the music discovery experience by letting users see who else has Shazamed the same track and explore their profiles for more hidden gems. Designed with niche music fans in mind, this feature highlights the beauty of shared tastes, enabling users to connect with others who appreciate the same unique sounds. By offering access to a track’s Shazam history, it creates a bridge between like-minded listeners and introduces new opportunities for discovery. This feature transforms music exploration into a community experience, encouraging users to return and deepen their connection with both the app and the people who share their musical journey.
Shazam History adds depth to the music discovery experience by letting users see who else has Shazamed the same track and explore their profiles for more hidden gems. Designed with niche music fans in mind, this feature highlights the beauty of shared tastes, enabling users to connect with others who appreciate the same unique sounds. By offering access to a track’s Shazam history, it creates a bridge between like-minded listeners and introduces new opportunities for discovery. This feature transforms music exploration into a community experience, encouraging users to return and deepen their connection with both the app and the people who share their musical journey.
"Who to Follow" expands your musical circle
The “Who to Follow” section at the foot of the Discover Tab introduces a smarter way to expand your network by recommending users who share the most overlapping Shazams with you. By analyzing shared musical preferences, it highlights profiles of listeners whose tastes align closely with yours. Each profile offers a snapshot of their Shazam history, liked tracks, and total activity, giving you a curated view of their music journey. This feature not only enhances the sense of community within the app but also opens the door to discovering new music through people who resonate with your unique taste, making every interaction more meaningful.
The “Who to Follow” section at the foot of the Discover Tab introduces a smarter way to expand your network by recommending users who share the most overlapping Shazams with you. By analyzing shared musical preferences, it highlights profiles of listeners whose tastes align closely with yours. Each profile offers a snapshot of their Shazam history, liked tracks, and total activity, giving you a curated view of their music journey. This feature not only enhances the sense of community within the app but also opens the door to discovering new music through people who resonate with your unique taste, making every interaction more meaningful.
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