This testing feature helps users not have to leave TikTok or open Google when they want to learn more about a location mentioned in the video.
For users who are granted access, when clicking on the comment section of the video with a location the, they will see an additional tab "Reviews" on the right.
Here, viewers can see star-based reviews, text comments, and photos (if any) posted by other users. Viewers can also access the reviewer's TikTok account by clicking on the account name, which is different from the previous Google Maps integration feature that only displayed a map icon.
While this utility can be popular with many people, others think it makes the video viewing experience distorted.
This is the next step in TikTok's efforts to compete with Google. Since 2022, a Google leader has said that TikTok is trekking on core services such as Search and Mapping, especially for young users.
Now, TikTok has not only become a popular destination for Gen Z location searches, but also added image searches last year, allowing users to take photos or upload photos to find similar products on TikTok Shop.
