Hajra Naz
TikTok is adding a new Nearby Feed to help people explore what’s happening around them. The feature brings more local discovery into the app. You can check out a new restaurant close to home. You can also spot places worth visiting during a trip. The rollout has started in the U.K., France, Italy, and Germany. This update pushes TikTok deeper into location-based content, travel search, and real-time local trends.
TikTok tested an early version back in 2022. A small group in Southeast Asia saw the first samples of the feature. The new version now reaches larger regions and supports more location signals for better accuracy.
TikTok says the Nearby Feed uses three things. It looks at your location. It checks the topic of the post. It considers when the post went live. This mix helps people see travel spots, events, food content, and local services with better precision. It also helps creators reach viewers in their city or region. If they tag a place or service, their post can show up for people nearby.
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Sharing your location is optional. TikTok limits this feature to users who are 18 or older. If you enable it, the app may use GPS data while you use TikTok. iOS users will see a visible sign on the device when location access is active. This approach supports more accurate local suggestions without forcing anyone to share data.
The company says it continues to follow local laws on data and privacy. TikTok will not show posts in the Nearby Feed if the creator is under 18. It will also block posts from this tab if the account is private or if the post is set to Friends or Only You. This keeps the Nearby Feed focused on public content meant for discovery.
You can also switch locations if you want to explore another city. Tap the location name and adjust it. This helps travelers research spots before a trip. It also helps content fans check trends in other regions. TikTok says this is useful for planning, exploring hidden gems, and following local creators in different places.
TikTok says the Nearby Feed supports small businesses and local institutions. It gives them more visibility inside the app. This can guide foot traffic and help new customers find local services. TikTok shared one key stat: 46% of users in the U.K. have visited a shop, restaurant, or attraction they found on the platform. The Nearby Feed is built to grow numbers like this and push real-world engagement.
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TikTok already uses a strong AI-driven system for personalized posts. The Nearby Feed adds another layer. It blends personal interest signals with location signals. The goal is simple. Show people content that fits where they are and what they want to explore.
You can find the Nearby Feed on the home screen. The tab will not say “Nearby.” It will show the name of your current region. This makes the feature feel natural inside the app.
It’s still not clear when TikTok plans to bring the feature to more countries. The company has not shared a timeline yet. For now, users in four European regions get the first look at this new local content tool.
