TikTok is challenging Google with its new image search feature

What’s the story

TikTok, the Chinese social media giant, is testing a new feature that allows users to search for similar products by uploading or taking a photo on the TikTok store.

The move indicates TikTok’s ambitions to challenge Google’s dominance in search engines, especially visual ones, as well as e-commerce giant Amazon.

This feature was first discovered by user Jonah Manzano and is currently available in the US and Southeast Asia.

How does this feature work?

The new feature allows users to find similar products by simply uploading or taking a photo on the TikTok store.

For example, if a user likes a plate at a restaurant, they can take a photo of it to find similar items that can be purchased on the TikTok store.

Similarly, if they find a top they like online but it’s too expensive, they can upload a photo of it to find a cheaper alternative.

TikTok E-Commerce Pressure and Competition

TikTok’s new image search feature not only poses a challenge to Google and Amazon, but also pits it against other companies offering similar shopping tools.

The company also competes with companies like Klarna and startups like Cherry.

Despite a potential U.S. ban, TikTok is expanding its e-commerce efforts.

In April, President Joe Biden signed a bill that would block TikTok if its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, did not sell it within a year.

TikTok Shop’s global success and security measures

The TikTok Store has seen significant success since its U.S. launch, outperforming many of its competitors, particularly in the beauty segment.

The platform currently boasts over 15 million sellers worldwide, with over half a million of them in the United States alone.

To ensure the security of the platform, TikTok has invested over $400 million and assembled a team of over 7,500 people.

The company sees TikTok Shop as another major potential source of revenue and user retention.