What is the TikTok Nearby Feed?
The TikTok Nearby Feed is a new feature that the platform is testing which shows users localized content based on their current location. As described by SocialMediaToday, the Nearby Feed “displays content posted by users in your current location” (source).
When enabled, the Nearby Feed appears as a separate feed on the TikTok app alongside the standard “For You” feed. It provides users with the ability to easily discover and view TikTok videos that have been posted by creators in the same geographic area.
According to TechCrunch, the goal of the Nearby Feed is to “showcase locally popular content” and help users see what is trending in their city or neighborhood (source). It utilizes TikTok’s recommendation algorithm to surface relevant and engaging content based on location.
Overall, the TikTok Nearby Feed gives users a new way to interact with localized content and connect with creators in their communities. It aims to enhance the entertainment value and discovery capabilities of the platform by providing geo-targeted video recommendations.
When Was the Nearby Feed Introduced
The TikTok Nearby feed was first spotted being tested in late August 2022. According to an article by TechCrunch [1], TikTok began testing the Nearby feed feature with a small percentage of users in Southeast Asia.
The testing of the Nearby feed comes as TikTok continues to experiment with new ways to surface relevant local content to users. As reported by 9to5Mac [2], the Nearby feed aims to showcase content created near the user’s location.
The launch and testing of the TikTok Nearby feed feature appears to be part of TikTok’s broader efforts to tailor content to users based on their location and interests. The feature is still in early testing as of August 2022.
How the Nearby Feed Works
The TikTok Nearby feed shows users content that is geotagged from their nearby area. According to TechCrunch, TikTok determines nearby videos based on the user’s device location, then populates the feed with content tagged within a certain radius. Users do not have to opt-in to see the Nearby feed. It appears automatically in the sidebar and updates dynamically as users move around.
The Nearby feed displays TikToks that are tagged with the user’s city or other close geographic locations. The radius that constitutes ‘nearby’ can vary, but tends to be around 5-10 miles. Videos with location tags within that radius of the user will show up in their feed. This gives users a tailored feed of hyperlocal content from their city or neighborhood.
Unlike the ‘For You’ feed which uses an algorithm, the Nearby feed relies solely on location metadata to source relevant content. The feed is selective to display only geotagged posts close to the user’s vicinity. TikTok designed this opt-out system to showcase nearby trends and happenings without requiring an opt-in.
Types of Content in the Nearby Feed
The content that shows up in the Nearby feed on TikTok is focused on local, trending topics and events specific to a user’s location. Some of the main types of content you may see include:
Local trends and viral videos filmed in your area. The Nearby feed highlights popular videos and trends happening in your city or region. This allows you to easily discover the latest viral content and challenges from creators near you. For example, you may see local dance or comedy trends. According to Social Media Today, the Nearby feed shows both trending and recently uploaded content close to your location.
Events and happenings. The feed also surfaces events, concerts, openings, and other local happenings. This makes it easy to discover interesting things happening in your neighborhood on any given day or weekend. You’ll likely see videos previewing upcoming events or documenting events as they happen.
Location-tagged videos. Any videos tagged with your city or neighborhood may also show up in the Nearby feed. This allows you to see a range of content from creators based in your area, even if it’s not related to a specific local event or trend.
Pros of the Nearby Feed
One of the biggest pros of the TikTok Nearby feed is the ability to easily discover local trends and events happening around you. The feed surfaces content from TikTok users who have opted-in to sharing their location, allowing you to see what’s popular among people in your city or neighborhood.
This makes it easy to find out about local happenings like festivals, shows, pop-up shops, or other events that you may not have heard about otherwise. The Nearby feed essentially acts as a crowdsourced event calendar tailored to your location.
Additionally, the Nearby feed facilitates connecting with your local community. You can meet TikTok creators from your area, follow hashtags specific to your city, and participate in trends with other locals. This gives the app more of a localized, grassroots feel compared to seeing content from random users across the world.
For businesses, the Nearby feed presents an opportunity to reach customers in their area in a highly targeted way. Local businesses can use geotagged posts and relevant local hashtags to get their TikTok content in front of residents who live close by. This makes it easy for users to discover and engage with brands near them.
Overall, the main pros of the TikTok Nearby feed stem from the ability to tap into hyperlocal trends, events, and creators right in your own backyard. It provides a new way to connect with the community around you through shared experiences on TikTok.
Cons of the Nearby Feed
One of the biggest concerns with the Nearby feed is around privacy. Because the feed shows content based on users’ locations, there are worries that it could reveal too much personal information and enable unwanted tracking (TechCrunch, 2022). Some find it unsettling that their posts could show up in a Nearby feed for total strangers nearby without consent. There are also fears the feed could be misused by bad actors to target people based on location.
Moderating such localized content at scale also poses challenges. TikTok already struggles with consistent content moderation, and the Nearby feed adds another layer of complexity. Offensive, dangerous, or illegal content tailored to specific locations may be harder to catch. Considering the app’s young userbase, localized content raises extra safety concerns and risks exposing minors to inappropriate posts (Social Media Today, 2022).
Additionally, some users don’t want hyperlocal content and prefer seeing more variety. If the Nearby feed crowds out content from further away, it could reduce the diversity of perspectives. People may feel less connected to broader trends and cultures if algorithms prioritize nearby content too strongly. Striking the right balance between localized and non-localized content may prove tricky.
Notable Uses of the Nearby Feed
The Nearby Feed has been used to showcase and spread viral local events and stories. Users in the vicinity of major happenings like concerts, sports games, and festivals have shared content capturing the atmosphere and excitement. This allows the wider local community to experience the event through the TikTok lens.
For example, during the 2022 Super Bowl in Los Angeles many local TikTok creators captured the city’s energy and parties using the Nearby Feed. Fans not physically present could get a taste of the action and celebration. The feed also widely shared scenes and reactions from parades and demonstrations like Pride events.
Beyond one-off events, the Nearby Feed connects neighborhoods and cities on an ongoing basis. Daily life, local personalities, attractions, and happenings get featured. This fosters a sense of community as users engage with content and creators in their location. The feed provides a window into what’s trending and popular locally.
According to GrowMojo, a dance studio or sports team could utilize the Nearby Feed to increase visibility and engagement within the community. By sharing behind-the-scenes, events, and student spotlights they can connect with potential new students and clients nearby.
Tips for Using the Nearby Feed
Here are some tips for optimizing your TikTok videos to take advantage of the Nearby Feed and reach a local audience:
Focus on creating content related to your location. Shoot videos at local landmarks, restaurants, events, etc. Use geotags and captions to note the location. This helps ensure your content surfaces in feeds of users near that location.
Use targeted hashtags about your city, neighborhood, street names, points of interest, etc. Include a mix of high-volume location tags along with niche local hashtags.
Collaborate with other local creators and businesses. Do shoutout videos or challenges together. Cross-promote to reach each other’s audiences.
Partner with venues to create TikTok content on-site. Gyms, stores, cafes etc. may collaborate to help generate exposure.
Run local contests and promotions via TikTok. Encourage users to create location-based content for a chance to win prizes.
Use the Nearby Feed to find and engage audiences near you. Like, comment and follow local users. The interaction can help increase your visibility.
Analyze performance data to see which location-based content resonates best. Double down on what drives engagement from local audiences.
Consistency is key. Regularly post content optimized for Nearby Feed reach. Making local content is an ongoing strategy.
Future of the Nearby Feed
TikTok is likely to continue developing and expanding the Nearby feed feature in the future. Some potential developments include:
Improved algorithm and recommendations – TikTok could refine its algorithm to show more relevant nearby content based on a user’s interests and profile.
Additional filters and customization – Users may get more options to filter the Nearby feed by distance, hashtags, sounds, etc. There could also be settings to control the mix of nearby and regular For You content.
Location-based advertising – Businesses may be able to target ads to users based on their proximity to a store location. This could make the Nearby feed a powerful tool for local marketing campaigns.
Integration with TikTok Maps – TikTok’s maps feature could sync up with the Nearby feed. Users could find content geotagged close to their current location or searchable by place.
Live nearby streams – TikTok may add the ability to livestream to a local audience. This could enable events, protests, breaking news and other happenings to be shared instantly with nearby viewers.
Overall, the Nearby feed has significant room to evolve as a platform tool for localized engagement and discovery. While the full scope of its future direction remains to be seen, proximity-based content sharing appears to be a priority for TikTok.
Key Takeaways
The TikTok Nearby Feed allows users to view and interact with content being posted by others in their local geographic region. Introduced in 2020, the feed aims to connect users with those around them by surfacing trending and popular content nearby.
The main takeaways about the Nearby Feed are:
- It surfaces TikTok videos posted within a 5 to 10 mile radius of your location
- Content ranges from entertainment to news and trends unique to the local area
- It provides a way to connect with and view content from others in your community
- Users must opt-in to geotagging and enable nearby feeds to access it
- It allows engagement with hyperlocal trends and happenings
- There are concerns around privacy and enabling location sharing
- Notable uses include discovering local events, connecting around local interests, and promoting local businesses
- Tips include being selective in enabling location access and curating your feed
- The nearby feed will likely expand as TikTok furthers its hyperlocal offerings
In summary, the TikTok Nearby Feed provides a localized experience by surfacing relevant content and trends in a user’s surrounding area. While beneficial for local discovery and engagement, users should weigh privacy considerations before opting in.
