- The amplification of luminescence signals is often the key to sensitive and powerful detection protocols. Besides optimized fluorescent probes and labels, functionalized nano- and microparticles have received strongly increasing attention in this context during the past decade. This contribution introduces the main signalling concepts for particle-based amplification strategies and stresses, especially the important role that metal and semiconductor nanoparticles play in this field. Besides resonance energy transfer, metal-enhanced emission and the catalytic generation of luminescence, the impact of multi-chromophoric objects such as dye nanocrystals, dendrimers, conjugated polymers or mesoporous hybrid materials is assessed. The representative examples discussed cover a broad range of analytes from metal ions and small organic molecules to oligonucleotides and enzyme activity.