TikTok, the popular short-video app, has quietly joined forces with Wikipedia to improve its search feature. This change reflects TikTok’s growing role as a go-to search engine, especially for younger users seeking everything from restaurant recommendations to the latest news.
Here’s what you need to know:
Wikipedia Snippets in TikTok Searches
When you search for something on TikTok, like “The New York Times” or “Taylor Swift,” you might notice snippets from Wikipedia showing up in the search results. These snippets provide quick info and a link to the relevant Wikipedia page.
The Quiet Collaboration
TikTok and Wikipedia have been working together on this for a few months, but they didn’t make a big announcement about it until recently.
As you scroll through TikTok’s search results, you’ll see these Wikipedia snippets mixed in with videos. If you click on one, it takes you straight to the full Wikipedia page. There are also links at the bottom of the snippet that let you jump to different sections of the Wikipedia article.
Not for Everything
While the new feature is all nice and dandy, not all search terms get Wikipedia links. For example, you might find a snippet for New York but not for Chicago. The exact criteria for when Wikipedia links appear isn’t clear. At the moment, it seems rather random.
TikTok’s Search Evolution
TikTok is constantly improving its search feature. Recently, the app started showing sponsored content between regular search results to make money. They also teamed up with IMDb so creators can link to movies and TV shows in their videos, and IMDb info pops up in some search results.
Google has long been the go-to search engine. But TikTok and similar platforms are changing that. About 40% of younger people prefer platforms like TikTok and Instagram for certain searches. Google has noticed this shift and is working on improvements.
Google’s search results have faced criticism for being cluttered with ads and low-quality information. Users have developed strategies to find what they need, like using specific keywords and avoiding the top search results.
Wikipedia’s Rise
Interestingly, Wikipedia has become a trusted source for many users. Its constantly updated information and strict source standards make it a reliable alternative to Google.
TikTok’s partnership with Wikipedia shows how the way we search for information is evolving. As more people turn to platforms like TikTok, traditional search engines like Google must adapt to meet changing demands.
This collaboration between TikTok and Wikipedia shows how much the online world can shift. This time, it seems to create positive impacts. Google is likely to improve the quality of its search results to rise to the challenge.
