Whether someone is listening to music on Snapchat is not always obvious. Snapchat does not have an indicator that shows when someone is listening to music in the app. However, there are a few clues that may suggest when a Snapchat friend is rocking out to tunes.
Snapchat Music Feature
Snapchat has a Music feature that allows users to add songs to their Snaps and Stories. Songs can be added from Snapchat’s music library, or users can upload their own music. When someone adds a song to their Snap, a small music note icon will appear at the bottom of the Snap. This indicates that there is music attached, but it does not necessarily mean they are actively listening to the song.
Clues someone may be listening to music
- Music note icon on Snaps
- Song lyrics or artist names in text/captions
- Dancing or lip syncing in videos
- Using song lyrics as Snapchat captions
- Music-themed filters, icons, or geofilters
- Headphones visible in video Snaps
These cues suggest a Snapchatter may be listening to music in the app, but don’t guarantee it. The music note icon is the biggest indicator, as it means music has been added to the Snap in some capacity.
Seeing What Music Friends Are Listening To
Unlike apps like Instagram Stories, there is no built-in feature on Snapchat to identify the song title and artist on a Snap. However, there are a couple of ways to find out what music your friends are rocking out to:
Ask them
Simply ask your friend what they’re listening to! Either reply to their Snap asking about the song, or send them a separate message. They’ll likely be happy to share the artist and song title.
Use song recognition apps
If you really want to detective out what song is playing in a Snap, use song recognition technology. Some options:
- Shazam – This popular song ID app can identify songs playing in Snaps.
- SoundHound – Similar song recognition app to ID music.
- Google Assistant – Use the “What’s this song?” voice command to have Google listen and identify.
- Siri – Ask Siri “What song is this?” while the Snap is playing.
These song recognition apps work best when the music is clearly audible in the Snap video. The best chance of identifying the song is when your friend is visibly dancing or lip syncing to the music.
Finding Music Shared by Friends
In addition to listening to music on Snapchat, users can also share specific songs and playlists with each other. This is another great way to discover new music.
Snapchat Playlist Share
Snapchatters can share playlists they have created or saved on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud. When your friend shares a playlist, you can view and listen to it within Snapchat.
Shazam Playlist
When shazaming songs in Snaps using Shazam, you can tap the playlists icon to view public playlists created by Shazam users with that song. This lets you see other popular songs and playlists related to what your friend shared.
Ask your friend
As always, you can simply ask your friend to share the name of the playlist or songs they added to their Snap. Most people are happy to share the tracks they’re jamming to.
Should You Pay Attention to the Music?
Music can be a very personal thing to share. The songs and artists someone listens to often represent their mood, personality, and what’s going on in their life. So if a Snapchat friend is constantly sharing Snaps with the same soundtrack, it may be worth paying attention.
It shows you what they’re into
Seeing what music friends add to Snaps gives you insight into their tastes. You’ll learn which genres, artists, and songs they like listening to on repeat.
Lets you bond over music
If you notice a friend always Snapping their favorite artist, that’s a great conversation starter. You can bond over shared favorite tunes and musical interests.
Signals their mood or activity
Music often matches the mood and activity. Upbeat dance jams usually mean they’re in a good mood, while slower emotional tracks may signal something is wrong. Workout music can indicate they’re at the gym.
Represents their personality
The type of music someone listens to regularly can point to aspects of their personality. Pop fans may be more extroverted, while indie music lovers tend to be more neurotic, research suggests.
Lyrics and Captions
In addition to the songs themselves, pay attention to any lyrics your friends include in captions or videos. The words can provide insight into what’s going on in their lives.
Look for patterns
If you notice the same lyrics or repeating phrases in different Snaps, your friend may be trying to subtly express an emotion or message. Read between the lines.
Watch for meaning
Certain song lyrics when taken out of context can take on special meaning. Your friend may be citing lyrics that seem to apply to a situation in their life.
Consider the tone
Think about the tone and message of the lyrics. Upbeat party lyrics are very different than heartbreak ballads. The tone usually aligns with your friend’s mood.
So be attentive when you notice friends quoting lyrics in Snaps. The words they share likely have deeper relationship to what’s going on in their world.
Being a Good Musical Friend
Once you identify music trends in your friend’s Snaps, use this intel to be a better friend:
- Point out songs you like that they shared
- Send Snaps with songs you know they’ll appreciate
- Surprise them with a customized playlist based on their tastes
- Go to a concert together of a shared favorite artist
- Check in if you notice a lot of sad or angry music from them lately
Discovering musical common ground is a great way to strengthen bonds. Who knows, your shared love of savvy Snapchat music may even lead to a beautiful friendship!
Conclusion
Determining if a Snapchatter is listening to music can be tricky without a direct indicator. But by paying attention to clues like music notes, actions, captions, and their general music taste, you can make an educated guess. And identifying these musical cues ultimately lets you connect more deeply with friends through shared songs and artists.