Summary: TikTok is challenging Google Maps (kind of) with a new feature, Reviews, which is in testing. Users who have access to this feature will see a new tab on the right when they open the comments for videos. This tab will display star ratings, written reviews, and uploaded photos of places tagged in the videos.
TikTok continues to expand its search experience by taking another important step in its competition with Google. The social media giant has started showing user comments and ratings for specific places in the comments tab of videos with a new feature currently in the testing phase.
With this feature, users will no longer have to go to Google to learn more about a place they come across on TikTok. This aligns with a 2022 statement by a Google executive, who said that TikTok was diminishing the need for Search and Maps, especially among younger users.
TikTok rivals Google Maps with its new Reviews tab
Users who have access to the new feature will see a new tab called Reviews on the right when they open the comments of a video. In this section, if there is a place tagged in the video, it will be possible to review the star ratings, written comments, and uploaded photos of other users about that place.
For instance, if you come across a video on the app that tags a restaurant in Los Angeles, the new Reviews tab will let you see details about the place, such as star ratings, user reviews, and photos.
It is also possible to visit the TikTok profile of the person who made the comment by clicking on their username from this section. In this perspective, the feature differs from the Maps integration previously offered with the Google Maps icon.
Some TikTok users think the new feature harms their content-viewing experience
While some TikTok users welcome the new feature, others feel it harms their content-viewing experience. However, as mentioned above, this function is currently in the testing phase. TikTok can make it more user-friendly for concerned users during the development process.
These aren’t the only moves TikTok has made to reduce its reliance on Google cores, as the platform has previously introduced the image search feature that allows users to take or upload photos to find similar products on the TikTok Shop.
