While Spotify's algorithm pushes you toward the next hit, WhoSampled has been quietly mapping the entire musical genome since 2008. With just 14 employees and zero outside funding, this bootstrapped startup has become the definitive database for samples, covers, and remixes—transforming how we understand music's interconnected history.

"They're not just cataloging songs—they're mapping the DNA of popular culture, one sample at a time."

The site's traffic distribution reveals something fascinating: 22% direct traffic means nearly 1 in 5 visitors come straight to the site, bypassing search engines entirely. That's brand loyalty you can't buy with ad spend. Meanwhile, their Twitter following (@whosampled) engages directly with the community, turning sample discoveries into viral moments. They've built a flywheel where music nerds share connections, driving more traffic, which fuels more data collection.

• Data moat: 310K+ backlinks suggest they're the default citation for sample research
• Search dominance: 'whosampled' alone drives 114K monthly searches—owning their brand name completely
• Global reach: Despite undefined country data, their top 5 markets suggest English-speaking dominance with emerging markets