TikTok is a popular social media platform that allows users to create and share short videos. The app has over 1 billion monthly active users worldwide. Users can upload videos up to 3 minutes long and add special effects, filters, and music. TikTok features a “For You” feed that uses artificial intelligence to recommend videos for each user based on their interests and engagement.
TikTok introduced the Nearby feature in early 2020 as a way for users to discover and connect with others nearby who are also using the app. The feature uses a user’s device location to suggest accounts, hashtags, and sounds that are trending in their surrounding area. This allows users to engage with more localized content and potentially meet up with other TikTokers in real life. However, the Nearby feature has also raised some concerns about privacy and potential misuse which will be discussed further in this article.
What is TikTok’s Nearby Feature?
TikTok’s Nearby feature allows users to discover and view TikTok videos that are geotagged near their current location. When enabled, the Nearby feed surfaces TikToks that were created close by, giving users a localized feed of content.
The Nearby feature works by accessing the user’s location data and matching it with the geotagged location data on TikTok videos. TikTok videos can be geotagged if the creator adds a location tag when posting. The Nearby feed then populates with videos that match the user’s vicinity.
This provides an easy way for TikTok users to find and watch regionally relevant videos. It helps creators reach local audiences, and gives viewers a tailored feed showcasing TikTok content from their city, neighborhood or surrounding area.
When Was the Nearby Feature Introduced?
The Nearby feature on TikTok was first introduced in August 2022, when TikTok began testing the feature in select markets. According to an article by TechCrunch (https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/23/tiktok-testing-nearby-feed/), TikTok confirmed they were testing a new “Nearby” feed designed to show users local content based on their location. The Nearby feed displays separate from a user’s main For You feed and provides a way to easily discover localized content and creators.
The testing of the Nearby feature began in late summer 2022 in select major cities around the world. TikTok has not provided details on exactly which cities or how long the testing phase may last. As of early 2023, the Nearby feature appears to still be in the testing phase and has not yet rolled out widely to all TikTok users globally.
The intent behind Nearby is to help users connect with content from their local area, including restaurants, venues, creators, and trending topics. Along with the geographic recommendations, the feature provides another way for TikTok to segment content and serve users a more personalized experience on the platform.
Who Can Use the Nearby Feature?
The nearby feature on TikTok is currently only available to users ages 18 and older in certain countries. According to TikTok’s announcement, nearby is being tested with adult users in Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand.
To access the nearby feature, users must be located in an eligible country and be logged into their account. The feature will not be available to users under 18 or those visiting TikTok without an account.
TikTok has said the goal is to eventually expand nearby to more regions and users if the initial tests prove successful. However, the platform understands concerns around potential misuse and wants to take a measured approach to rolling out the location-based feed.
In summary, nearby is limited to adult users in parts of Southeast Asia during its early testing phase. Expanding accessibility will depend on how well the feature is received and TikTok’s ability to build effective safeguards against abuse. Users not yet eligible will need to wait for future announcements from TikTok to gain access.
How to Enable/Disable Nearby
TikTok gives users the ability to turn the Nearby feature on or off as needed. Here are the steps to enable or disable Nearby on TikTok:
On iOS devices like iPhones:
- Open the TikTok app and tap on your profile icon in the bottom right.
- Tap the three line menu icon in the top right corner.
- Go to “Settings & privacy” then tap “Privacy”.
- Under “Discoverability” toggle “Nearby” on or off.
On Android devices:
- Open the TikTok app and tap on your profile icon in the bottom right.
- Tap the three line menu icon in the top right corner.
- Go to “Privacy and safety” then “Location services”.
- Toggle “Location” on or off to enable or disable Nearby.
Turning off location services completely will disable the Nearby feature. Users can easily turn Nearby on or off as needed for privacy or to better control recommendations.
Nearby Content Recommendations
The Nearby feed influences the recommendations users see on TikTok. When Nearby is enabled, TikTok will prioritize showing users content from creators in their surrounding geographic area.[1] This allows users to easily discover and interact with local creators and businesses.
The Nearby feed combines TikTok’s powerful recommendation algorithm with location data to serve hyper-relevant content. Users are likely to be interested in content from their own communities, so spotlighting nearby creators helps users find and engage with content they value.[2] For creators and businesses, appearing in users’ Nearby feeds gives a better chance of connecting with a local audience.
While the Nearby feed shows location-based recommendations, it does not override TikTok’s recommendation system. Other factors like user interests, activity, and interactions still influence recommendations in the main feed.[3] The Nearby feed simply gives users more control over discovering local content.
Privacy Concerns
The TikTok Nearby feature has raised some privacy concerns due to its ability to connect users based on their location. Some people worry that this feature could potentially be misused. For example, someone with malicious intent could use Nearby to figure out that a specific person is close by and target them.
There are also general worries about TikTok and user data privacy. Some experts have questioned how securely TikTok protects user data and whether the Chinese government could access data on TikTok’s servers(1). Because Nearby leverages location information, it provides another potential avenue for user data to be compromised.
TikTok states that they take privacy seriously and only share user data on a need-to-know basis(2). However, the nature of the Nearby feature means users need to weigh convenience against potential privacy risks. Users, especially minors, should consider disabling Nearby if they have concerns.
Parental Controls for Nearby
Parents who are concerned about their teens interacting with strangers nearby on TikTok have some options to restrict the Nearby feature. TikTok’s Family Pairing feature allows parents to enable restrictions on their child’s account if they are under 16 years old. This includes the ability to disable the Nearby feature entirely for teen accounts.
To disable Nearby for their child’s account, parents need to go to their own TikTok profile, tap “Settings and privacy”, choose “Family Pairing” and select their child’s account. From there, they can toggle off the “Nearby” setting. This will completely remove the ability for the child to see or interact with nearby users. Parents can re-enable it at any time if they choose.
TikTok also allows parents to restrict Direct Messages and restrictrecommened content for teen accounts. Enabling these restrictions in combination with disabling Nearby can help prevent unwanted interactions through the app. However, parental oversight of a child’s social media activity remains important.
According to TikTok’s safety guidelines, disabling Nearby is recommended for accounts under 16 years old. So parents are encouraged to set up Family Pairing and tailor restrictions appropriate to their teen’s maturity level.
Alternatives to Using Nearby
While TikTok’s Nearby feature provides an easy way to discover localized content, there are other options users can explore if they wish to limit use of Nearby.
One alternative is to search hashtags and sounds that relate to your city or region. For example, searching #Chicago or #BayArea could surface creators and content specific to those locations. You can also search for local landmarks, events, sports teams, etc. to find relevant videos.
Checking out the “For You” feed is another way to potentially see localized trends and viral videos without turning on Nearby. TikTok’s algorithm may detect your location and highlight nearby content.
Users can also directly follow creators who identify themselves as being from your city or state. Searching bios for location names or clues can help you discover local accounts to follow.
If wanting to connect with people in your precise vicinity, some prefer meeting people organically offline rather than via an app feature. Attending local events and gatherings may introduce you to potential friends, collaborators, or people to follow.
While not a perfect substitute, other apps like Zoomerang, Lomotif, and Funimate offer social video features and some localization as well.
Conclusion
TikTok’s Nearby feature allows users to connect with and view content from other users in their local area. Introduced in early 2022, Nearby provides location-based recommendations and facilitates engagement among nearby users. While offering potential opportunities for exploring localized content and making connections, the feature has also raised privacy concerns, especially for younger users. Parents may wish to restrict access or closely supervise teens and tweens while Nearby is enabled.
In summary, key points about TikTok’s Nearby feature include:
- Nearby allows users to see and interact with content from their local area.
- The opt-in feature was introduced globally in 2022.
- Any users over 16 can enable Nearby to access location-based recommendations.
- Users can limit Nearby access in their settings or disable it completely.
- Younger users may encounter inappropriate content or unwanted interactions.
- Parents can disable the feature for teens and tweens if concerned.
- Nearby provides localized content suggestions but raises privacy issues.
While Nearby presents opportunities for exploration and connection, users should weigh the risks and adjust privacy settings accordingly. Parents of younger users may prefer limiting or disabling access completely.
