Abstract: Methods and systems for performing content recognition for a surge of incoming recognition queries are provided. Within examples, methods comprise receiving, by one or more computing devices, a stream of incoming content recognition queries, and a given content recognition query includes a sample of media content and a request to identify the sample of media content. Methods also comprise filtering, by the one or more computing devices, a plurality of content recognition queries from the stream of incoming content recognition queries belonging to a surge event, and the surge event is associated with content recognition queries received within a time window and including common samples of media content.