TikTok has introduced a new Local Feed for US users. It uses precise GPS data to surface nearby content, mirroring the Nearby Feed that launched in the UK and Europe last year.
Local Feeds should appear as a tab on the home screen once enabled. TikTok says the feed will highlight posts related to travel, events, restaurants, shopping, and local creators. Small businesses also gain visibility, making the feature a potential tool for local discovery.
The rollout comes shortly after TikTok’s US app faced a major outage. The company blamed a “cascading systems failure” for the disruption. Local Feeds mark the first new feature since TikTok’s ownership change last month.
Since it gets your location, privacy remains a key concern. TikTok refuted this by stating that location tracking is only active while the app is in use. Ads and recommendations will not access chat history or personal details. Users under 18 cannot enable Local Feeds, and sensitive topics remain excluded.
With this in mind, control still sits with the user. Again, since this is an opt-in feature, local Feeds are off by default and require manual activation. TikTok says users can dismiss content, manage personalisation, and opt out at any time. This approach aims to balance relevance with transparency.
The feature could reshape how creators reach audiences. Local musicians, restaurants, and shops may find new ways to connect with nearby users. For TikTok, Local Feeds strengthen its position against rivals like Instagram, which already emphasises location‑based discovery.
Group trends may also shift with this new local craze. Instead of viral content spreading globally, Local Feeds could highlight smaller, community‑driven trends. That change may encourage more diverse content and give regional creators a stronger voice.
TikTok plans to expand the feature gradually. Needless to say, early feedback will guide adjustments before its wider, global rollout.
