Elain Brown Tech 08.24.2022 03:Aug AM EDT

TikTok Is Testing A 'Nearby' Feed Feature to Increase the Visibility of Local Content

TikTok is experimenting with a new feed called "Nearby Feed."

TikTok's platform currently has two separate feeds. The first is the For You page, which gives users a mix of recommendations from suggested, popular, and accounts that the user follows.

TikTok is testing a new Nearby feed that is designed to display local content to users.

The "Following" feed focuses on videos from your friends. However, users may soon have access to a third feed called "Nearby."

TikTok's Nearby Feed

TikTok has been conducting tests with a whole new feed titled "Nearby." This information was first shared by social media strategist Matt Navarra. This feed will, as its name indicates, provide content from the surrounding area.

According to 9To5Google, a representative from TikTok stated that the new feed is presently being tested with a subset of users located in Southeast Asia and that the scope of the test is now somewhat restricted.

Users who are selected to take part in the limited test will have the new feed tab added to the app's homepage, where it will be shown alongside the "Following" and "For You" feeds.

Users who have been chosen to participate in the test will have access to all three feeds on the homepage of TikTok.

As expected, users who participated in this testing provided permission for the TikTok app to access the location of the device.

Also, a tool that enables creators to add location tags to their videos is being tested along with the Nearby feed.

Furthermore, this new Nearby feed feature will help users find and discover interesting events, activities, and new places around them.

The new feature will allow users to discover more of what is around them. This includes places they have never been before; new stores; new restaurants; hiking spots; new creators to follow; and many more.

TikTok's Nearby feed would provide a user experience that is similar to the one described above, but it would also use the app's established and highly effective recommendation algorithm.

In principle, the feed needs to present local material that users genuinely want to view if it is to be useful. Having a "Nearby" feed on TikTok also provides huge opportunities for local businesses to promote and make their services and goods available.

The Nearby feed can create new opportunities and possibilities for TikTok, and it would also have the ability to influence third-party sites such as TripAdvisor and Google.

TikTok Catching up with Snap and Ig

TikTok's Nearby feed also signals that the company is keeping up its pace with other social media platforms like Snapchat's Snap Map and Instagram's newly introduced searchable map, as reported by TechCrunch.

Both of these features are intended to make it simpler to learn about popular destinations in the immediate area.

The features from Snapchat and Instagram also have options to provide consumers with a method to browse local content and learn about locations near them.

Google has made the observation that younger people are increasingly turning to applications such as Instagram and TikTok for discovery reasons rather than using Google Search or Google Maps when it comes to looking for a certain location.

TikTok has already created a reputation for itself with its recommendation system, and the addition of a Nearby feed would give it the opportunity to offer even more tailored and useful information to its consumers.

This would be a significant improvement coming to the app if it rolls out publicly.