TikTok quietly adds Wikipedia snippets to its search results
Google may now face serious competition in TikTok as the platform expands its SERPs with content from the wider web for the first time.
TikTok now serves Wikipedia snippets in some of its search results.
This is the first time that the platform has offered its users results from the wider web as historically, it exclusively featured its own content in SERPs.
The Wikipedia snippets were first noticed in TikTok SERPs by The Verge, as shown here:
A spokesperson for the social media app confirmed that the new feature has been live for several months, however, a formal announcement was never made.
Why we care. While Google has previously stated that it sees TikTok as a search competitor, the social media app is clearly intensifying its efforts in the search arena.
A recent survey revealed the majority of Gen Z women are favoring TikTok over Google for their search needs. This shift in user preference raises questions about whether Google might find itself facing a more concerning competitor in the search space than previously anticipated.
How it works. Wikipedia snippets are served on some accounts for select SERPs for”
- People
- Places
- Events
The snippets been spotted wedged between relevant videos as users have been scrolling down through in-app search results pages.
By clicking on the links that appear at the bottom of the snippet, users are taken to different sections of the Wikipedia entry.
Deep dive. Read TikTok’s Search and Discover guidelines for more information.
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