TikTok’s rapid ascendance has taken vertical content and mobile viewing to new heights yet unrealized by Snapchat and now to seemingly pour more salt in that wound, TikTok is stealing what was arguably Snapchat’s best feature: being able to see what’s going on nearby.
Given the level of niche insights into an individual’s interests, the TikTok version of this feature has the potential to be highly targeted, just like its For You page algorithm.
A foodie? How about these cool places nearby where other folks have been filming TikTok’s? Big on travel? Check out these hotels for a top-tier staycation.
Currently, the Nearby feature is only appearing for some users at the moment and has been fully confirmed by TechCrunch.
“We’re always thinking about new ways to bring value to our community and enrich the TikTok experience,” a spokesperson for TikTok replied via na email to TechCrunch.
It appears that location tags on the app are about to get far more important and brands with physical retail presence should begin to incentivize consumers to tag their locations as much as possible.
Instagram also ripped a searchable map tool as of July this year, signaling that we could soon have enhanced geo-targeting capabilities on social platforms beyond where people live, but also places they frequent and support.
