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Facebook is adding to ability to automatically listen and recognise music and TV shows its users are listening to.

Once a song or a show is recognised, a status update is posted.

The new feature, which must be activated by the user and is off by default, can even tell exactly which episode of a TV show is being watched.

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How it works: Facebook uses the phone's microphone to listen and recognise individual songs and TV episodes

HOW IT WORKS

When writing a status update – if you choose to turn the feature on – you'll have the option to use your phone's microphone to identify what song is playing or what show or movie is on TV.

You can also turn the feature off at any time by clicking the audio icon in the top right of the screen.

If you leave the feature on, you will see the audio icon move and attempt to detect a match when you're writing a status update. No sound is stored and you'll always get to choose whether you post to your friends

'You may have seen a friend post a photo after a tough workout with a 'feeling proud' icon, or you've seen your friend check in at a coffee shop "drinking an iced coffee,' said Aryeh Selekman of Facebook.

'In the last year, people shared more than 5 billion status updates that included these kinds of feelings and activities, sparking conversations with friends in a more visual way.

'Today, we're making those conversations quicker and easier by introducing a new way to share and discover music, TV and movies.'

The new system works using the existing status update box.

'When writing a status update – if you choose to turn the feature on – you'll have the option to use your phone's microphone to identify what song is playing or what show or movie is on TV,' Facebook said.

Like with any post, you choose who can see it.

'That means if you want to share that you're listening to your favorite Beyoncé track or watching the season premiere of Game of Thrones, you can do it quickly and easily, without typing,' the firm said.

The new features are part of a new range of activities the site can put into status updates

If users share music, friends can see a 30-second preview of the song. 

'For TV shows, the story in News Feed will highlight the specific season and episode you're watching, so you can avoid any spoilers and join in conversations with your friends after you've caught up,' Facebook said.

The new tool comes as Facebook is increasingly competing with Twitter Inc to become the main online venue where consumers discuss television shows, sports and other entertainment in real time.

The new feature will be available on the Android and iOS versions of its app in the U.S. in the coming weeks, the company said.