TikTok Experiments With Location-Based Reviews

TikTok is quietly testing a new feature that integrates location-based reviews directly into its video interface, marking another step in its growing competition with Google’s search and mapping tools.

The experimental feature introduces a “Reviews” tab within the comments section of select videos that include tagged locations. When a viewer taps on the comments icon, they may now see a secondary tab where users have left star ratings, written reviews, and even photos related to the location featured in the video.

For example, a video showcasing New York’s Central Park might not only draw general engagement but also include user-submitted reviews, complete with images and insights from other visitors. Each review also links to the reviewer’s TikTok profile, adding a layer of social interaction that differs from the previously used Google Maps integration, which was more static and featured only map details.

The feature appears to be available only on a limited basis for now. TechCrunch reports that only certain videos with tagged locations display the new tab, and TikTok has not yet commented on plans for a broader rollout – but given Tiktok’s overall push towards making search a more practical and useful part of the platform, it wouldn’t be a surprise if this is another part of that ongoing project.

If expanded, the reviews tab could further position TikTok as a local discovery engine, challenging how users find and evaluate places traditionally dominated by platforms like Google Maps.