TikTok has confirmed that they’re testing a new “Nearby” feed. Users who are part of the test will see the feed appear next to their “Following” and “For You” tabs.
HUHHHH what is this nearby page on tiktok?😭 pic.twitter.com/9Rf3amC8lx
— Sofea (@sofeashra) August 9, 2022
The new feed, first reported by social media trendspotter Matt Navarra, will display content shared by users near your current location.
TikTok is working on a NEW ‘Nearby’ / ‘Local’ feed.
This is in conjunction with a new option giving creators the ability to add a location tag to videos.
TikTok is playing catch-up with Snapchat’s Snap map and Instagram’s recently launched searchable photo map features.
— Matt Navarra (I quit X. Follow me on Threads) (@MattNavarra) August 22, 2022
The feature is being tested alongside one that will allow creators to add location tags to their videos.
Location-based recommendations, especially when combined with TikTok’s powerful algorithm, would allow the platform to add another layer of personalization to their users’ already highly curated feeds. That means the Nearby feature could be a game-changer for local businesses and creators alike.
TikTok isn’t the first platform to incorporate tools to support local content discovery. Earlier this year, Instagram launched its searchable map, and Snapchat’s Snap Map has been around since 2017.
This latest update comes as reports continue to circulate that Gen Z uses apps like TikTok and Instagram for search, instead of Google.
Learn more about how social search is changing:
- How To Search on TikTok for Just About Anything
- Instagram launches maps to help local businesses get discovered on the platform
