TikTok introduces review feature in comments, challenging Google Maps.

TikTok has already secured its status as Gen Z’s ultimate search tool, and now it’s branching out into reviews. The social media app hosts a variety of content creators who earn a living showcasing reviews of tech, restaurants, and clothing that they’ve purchased. Recently, TechCrunch reported that TikTok has begun to feature reviews for some places—such as stores and restaurants—within the comments section of a video. Currently, if you discover a venue you’d like to visit on your For You Page, you typically have to check Google Maps or other platforms to find its exact location, reviews, hours, and other essential information. This new TikTok feature has the potential to eliminate that extra step.

According to TechCrunch, TikTok reviews are being tested with select users, who may notice a “Reviews” tab on the right side of a video’s comments. App researcher Jonah Manzano shared a screenshot of his TikTok comments section on Threads, indicating that the feature is currently functional only “on selected videos with a tagged location.” The timeline for a public launch remains unclear, and it’s uncertain how users will respond to the feature once it becomes available. Will it be embraced as a useful addition, or will it face criticism for cluttering the comment section? Only time will tell as TikTok continues to evolve.