Chinese social media giant TikTok is testing an innovative feature that allows users to search for similar products by taking or uploading a photo within TikTok Shop. This move signals TikTok’s ambitions to challenge Google’s dominance in visual search and take on ecommerce giant
Key Highlights
Tiktok 2024
Seamless Search: Users can now access this feature via a camera icon within the TikTok Shop search bar, making product discovery easier and more intuitive.
Confirmed by TikTok: TikTok has confirmed to TechCrunch that this feature is in the testing phase, allowing users to find similar products by uploading photos.
Successful Launch: Since its US launch, TikTok Shop has outpaced many rivals, particularly in the beauty segment, according to a recent survey.
How It Works
Imagine spotting a stylish plate at a restaurant or a pricey top online. With TikTok’s new photo search feature, you can simply snap a picture or upload an image to find similar, potentially more affordable options available for purchase on TikTok Shop. This eliminates the need for text-based searches, offering a more streamlined shopping experience.
Competitive Edge
While Google Lens and Amazon have long provided similar image search capabilities, TikTok’s entry into this space is notable. In 2022, Google executives expressed concerns about TikTok and Instagram’s growing influence on search behavior. TikTok’s new feature not only attracts users to search for products within the app but also encourages purchases directly through TikTok Shop.
Broader Implications
This feature isn’t just about competing with Google or Amazon. TikTok’s image search functionality positions it to rival other shopping-focused image search platforms like Klarna and emerging startups like Cherry.
Stay tuned as TikTok continues to innovate and reshape the ecommerce landscape!
