TikTok launches an opt-in Local Feed in the U.S. leveraging users’ precise location

Source: TechCrunch

Introduction

TikTok announced the launch of a new Local Feed in the U.S. version of the app. The feed displays content related to travel, news, events, shopping, and dining near the user’s current location. The feature follows a recent change to TikTok’s terms of service under the new U.S. joint venture, which states that the app will begin to collect precise location information from users. TikTok confirms that the purpose of this data collection is to power the Local Feed, but users can control whether precise location sharing is enabled, with the default set to off (opt‑in).

Rollout and Availability

The Local Feed was first rolled out in December to select European markets, including the U.K., France, Italy, and Germany, as reported by TechCrunch. It is now available in the United States, but only to users 18 years old and older. The feature will collect location information only while the app is in use.

How the Local Feed Works

According to TikTok’s announcement, the feed helps users stay connected to their local community. Posts are shown based on:

• The user’s location
• The content’s topic
• The time the content was posted

This creates a more current feed of local information, such as suggestions for new restaurants, local events, shopping ideas, and more.

Impact on Small Businesses

TikTok positions the Local Feed as a tool to drive real‑world traffic and sales for brick‑and‑mortar stores across the U.S. The company notes that 7.5 million businesses currently use the app to reach global customers, supporting more than 28 million workers, according to a 2025 Oxford Economics report.

Additional data from the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council shows:

• 84 % of TikTok small‑business users say the platform helped grow their business.
• 75 % say TikTok helped them reach customers beyond their local area.
• 74 % say TikTok helps them connect with their local community.

These figures underscore TikTok’s broader push to attract small businesses as both content producers and advertisers, a strategy that may help the platform mitigate regulatory pressure.

Privacy and User Controls

When users first access the Local Feed, they are prompted to allow the app to use their location data. On iOS, the pop‑up lets users choose to:

• Allow the activity once
• Allow it while using the app
• Not allow it at all

TikTok states that this approach aligns with how many modern apps handle location data, giving users the choice to enable it for more relevant local experiences while keeping them in control. The company acknowledges that the feature might have been better received if the request for precise location data had been introduced before—or simultaneously with—their recent ownership transition in the U.S.

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Image Credits: TikTok