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Search by reference

Reference-Based Search

Let users search by typing a song they already know. The API finds Epidemic Sound tracks that sound similar to any Spotify track.

Users often think in references: "I want something that sounds like Never Gonna Give You Up". This feature lets them search that way—no music vocabulary needed.

How it works​

  1. User types a song name (e.g., "never gonna give")
  2. Search suggestions endpoint returns Spotify matches (e.g., "Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley")
  3. User selects the Spotify suggestion
  4. Pass the Spotify URL to the search endpoint
  5. User gets Epidemic Sound tracks with a similar vibe

Example autosuggest response​

The search suggestions endpoint returns suggestions of type external/spotify alongside regular TEXT suggestions:

{
  "suggestions": [
    {
      "value": "https://open.spotify.com/track/4cOdK2wGLETKBW3PvgPWqT",
      "title": "Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley",
      "type": "external/spotify"
    }
  ]
}

When the user selects this suggestion, use the value (the Spotify URL) as the term parameter in your search request.

Implementation tips​

  • Show a Spotify icon next to Spotify suggestions so users know what they're selecting
  • Debounce autosuggest calls (e.g., 300ms delay) to avoid excessive API requests
  • Users can also paste Spotify URLs directly into your search field