TikTok Launches US Local Feeds for Hyperlocal Discovery
▼ Summary
– TikTok has launched “Local Feeds” in the US, an opt-in feature that uses precise GPS to show localized content like travel and restaurant posts.
– This is the first new feature for US users since TikTok officially came under new ownership last month.
– The feature is similar to the “Nearby Feeds” that launched in the UK and Europe in December.
– Local Feeds are turned off by default, require manual activation, and are not available to users under 18 years old.
– Users who enable it will see the feed as a tab on their home screen, and the precise location tracking is only active when the app is in use.
TikTok has introduced a new feature for its American audience called Local Feeds, designed to surface content from a user’s immediate surroundings. This opt-in tool leverages precise GPS data to create a dedicated stream of videos and posts focused on community happenings, offering a window into hyperlocal trends and businesses. The launch marks the first major update for U.S. users since the platform’s recent ownership transition and follows a similar rollout in the United Kingdom and Europe late last year.
To access this localized content, users must manually enable the feature within the app’s settings. The feed remains turned off by default and is completely unavailable to anyone under the age of 18, reflecting ongoing considerations around privacy and safety for younger audiences. According to TikTok’s U.S. Data Security division, the location tracking necessary for the feature is only active when the app is in use, providing a measure of control over data collection.
Once activated, the Local Feed appears as a distinct tab on the app’s main home screen. The content curated here aims to connect users with their immediate environment, highlighting posts about nearby travel destinations, local events, restaurant recommendations, and shopping opportunities. A key component of the feed involves amplifying content from small businesses and community-based creators, potentially offering them a valuable new channel for discovery and engagement.
This stateside debut follows a period of technical instability for the newly configured U.S. app, which experienced a significant service outage attributed by the company to a complex systems failure. The introduction of Local Feeds represents a strategic move to enhance user engagement by tapping into the innate appeal of community-centric content, allowing people to explore and interact with the digital footprint of their own neighborhoods and cities.
(Source: The Verge)
