TikTok grows in popularity as a search engine

After the pandemic, TikTok grew at an exceptional speed in popularity and has become a creative outlet for all sorts of media for thousands of users and consumers. It’s a place for entertainment, community, lifestyle, education, and...also a browser?

According to a study by Google’s Knowledge and Information organization, 40% of Gen Z users prefer using TikTok and Instagram for searching over Google. Users like USC student Jordan Freeman.

FREEMAN: “I personally am addicted to TikTok, its not an addiction I’d like to have, but one I’ve unfortunately been dealt. I go on it definitely everyday, probably multiple times a day.”

Professor of Professional Practice at USC Annenberg, Amara Aguilar explains why that may be the case.

AGUILAR: “It speaks a lot to the way that younger generations want to receive their information. They are searching TikTok because it’s visual. They want information quickly and in a digestible way. So those are things that, you know, the big search engines should keep in mind.”

Professor Aguilar says, regardless of the engine, the important thing for you to keep in mind is the credibility of the information you are digesting.

AGUILAR:”Some information on TikTok can also be distributed without context, without sources. So, you know, that could be one thing to definitely look at. And it’s really important. Any time you’re searching for something to look at the credibility of the source, where the information is coming from.”

Even though TikTok still hasn’t taken over Google’s throne as the main search engine of the world, it has managed to grab the hearts and minds of young users everywhere. But just remember not to believe everything you see.

For Annenberg Media, I’m Haylee Clophus