TikTok is stepping up its game to rival Google’s search capabilities by introducing a new picture search feature within TikTok Shop. This innovative addition allows users to take or upload a picture to find similar items available for purchase on TikTok Shop.
Social media enthusiast Jonah Manzano was the first to spot this feature. It’s currently available to users in the US and Southeast Asia. For those with access, a camera icon appears in the search bar of TikTok Shop, enabling this functionality.
Imagine dining at a restaurant and being captivated by the design of the plate your meal is served on. With TikTok’s new feature, you can simply snap a photo using the app to find similar products for sale in TikTok Shop. Similarly, if you come across an expensive top online, you can upload a picture of it to TikTok to discover more affordable alternatives.
While TikTok Shop has always allowed users to search via text descriptions, this new visual search tool elevates the shopping experience. Google has long offered a similar functionality with Google Lens, allowing users to find products through image search. Amazon also features an image search tool, highlighting the growing competition TikTok faces in this space.
The competitive pressure from TikTok and Instagram on Google’s core search operations was acknowledged by Google executives back in 2022. TikTok’s latest feature aims to not only attract users to discover new products but also to make purchases directly through TikTok Shop.
This strategic move by TikTok positions it against not just Google and Amazon but also other companies offering image search for shopping, such as Klarna and newer entrants like Cherry.
TikTok recently announced surpassing 15 million global sellers on TikTok Shop, with over 500,000 in the US alone. The platform has invested more than $400 million in enhancing site safety and hired over 7,500 staff members to maintain a secure shopping environment.
TikTok’s significant investment in e-commerce underscores its belief that TikTok Shop will be a major revenue driver. By enhancing TikTok Shop, the company aims to keep users engaged and spending within its ecosystem rather than on competing platforms.
Despite potential regulatory challenges in the U.S., where TikTok faces a possible ban if not sold by its parent company ByteDance within a year, the platform continues to expand its online shopping capabilities.
In summary, TikTok’s new image search feature for TikTok Shop signifies its ambitious push to become a dominant player in the e-commerce space, directly challenging established giants like Google and Amazon.
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