Could TikTok Be Set to Replace Google?

In a word, yes! As a 20-year-old Gen Z, I can say with 100% certainty that TikTok is replacing Google - especially in the way we search for things in real life. Google is a search engine and so is TikTok, but TikTok works on a far more interactive level. We live in such a fast-paced society that we need everything instantly, at the touch of a finger. We don’t want to scroll through a wall of text and reviews - we want visual assurance. We want to see it.

For example, I’m out on the weekend and want a nice sit-down meal. I pull out my phone and type in ‘hidden gems in Knightsbridge’ on TikTok. Instantly, my feed is full of videos showing aesthetic restaurants, real customer experiences, food reviews, prices, vibes - the whole lot. It’s far more helpful than Google Maps or reading reviews that might be outdated. Our generation has a short attention span; we need visuals to trust what we're getting.

Another example: let’s say I’m trying to fix something at home, like a rip in my jeans, or my phone screen’s playing up. I’m not typing into Google ‘how to fix XYZ’—I’m straight onto TikTok. Why? Because I want a 30-second video that shows me exactly what to do, step by step. I don’t have time for a 1,500-word blog post that might not even answer the question properly.

And it doesn’t stop there. The world of TikTok Shop is exploding, and for both consumers and sellers, it’s a seamless process that’s taking over. As a buyer, you can make purchases effortlessly. It’s so easy to add items to your basket and check out quickly using ApplePay. And for sellers? Anyone over the age of 18 can become a TikTok seller. In my opinion, it’s more about advocacy than traditional selling.

Regular people like me buy products, then post video reviews on TikTok talking about their experience. They include direct links, and when someone purchases through that link, they earn a commission.

This means that people with products to sell have this incredible platform to showcase them. For example, there’s a lady who sells brownies. When she goes live on TikTok, she interacts with her audience, building trust and loyalty. She even gives out free gifts when her livestream hits a certain number of likes - and honestly, I’m happy to pay a premium price for that kind of experience and quality.

Another example: a woman who sells homemade hair oils. I constantly see her content on my For You page, showing how she makes the products from scratch with natural ingredients and even sharing her personal life. All these factors influence me to buy. It feels authentic.

You don’t get that on Google which has a different algorithm. It’s great for finding something you already know you want - but it doesn’t have that magic of stumbling across a product that just fits you. TikTok allows smaller sellers to make big profits because we get to know them on a personal level, often by pure chance.

Even when it comes to beauty tips, workouts, travel ‘inspo’, outfit ideas and recipes, TikTok is the go-to. We treat it like a visual search engine. The comments section is like live feedback - if a tip is bad, people call it out. If it works, there are replies confirming it. It’s a community-powered, real-time way to learn and discover.

Google still has its place - like when I need something super specific or academic - but for everyday life, TikTok wins because it speaks our language: fast, real, and visual.