TikTok rolls out a ‘Nearby Feed’ to display local content in select countries

TikTok is introducing a new “Nearby Feed” to allow users to explore what’s happening around them. The company says the new feed is designed to help users do things like discover a new restaurant close to home or find a new place to explore during a trip. The nearby feed is rolling out to the U.K., France, Italy, and Germany.

TikTok was first spotted testing a Nearby feed back in 2022, when it had rolled it out to select users in Southeast Asia.

“Posts in the Nearby Feed are shown to people based on location, the topic of the content, and when the content was posted,” TikTok explained in the blog post. “For example, people can see local content related to travel, events, food & drink, and other services based on their interests and engagement. For creators, this means their public posts may be available to people located in the city/region where they posted or tagged a location or service.”

TikTok says sharing your location is optional and that the option is only available to users who are 18 or older. When your location setting is enabled, TikTok may use your device’s GPS-based location when the app is in use to provide more accurate, location-based recommendations. For iOS users, they will see a visible indicator when their location is being accessed.

The company notes that it “continues to collect and use location information in line with local laws.”

TikTok content won’t appear in the Nearby Feed if someone is under 18 years old, has a private account, or sets their post privacy to Friends or Only You.

If people want to see “Nearby” content from a different place, they can change their location by selecting the location name and then following the steps to update it. The company says this can be useful when you’re traveling or want to do some research for your next trip.

“The Nearby Feed also supports local economies by increasing visibility for small businesses, cultural institutions, and local creators,” TikTok wrote in the blog post. “The Nearby Feed helps drive discovery, foot traffic, and real-world engagement. In fact, 46% of TikTok users in the UK have visited a local shop, restaurant, or attraction they saw on the platform.”

While TikTok is already known for its recommendation algorithm, which is able to target users with highly personalized content, the addition of a Nearby Feed gives it the ability to display even more relevant content to its users.

You can access the Nearby Feed directly from the TikTok home screen. The name of the tab won’t say “Nearby,” but will instead reflect the location you’re near.

It’s unknown when or if TikTok plans to launch the new feed in additional regions.