TikTok is testing a more robust search results page, including the use of generative AI. This feature appears to be a new feature called “Search Highlights.”
Snippets of AI results appear at the top of some search results pages, and clicking on a section opens a new page with the full response. In a quick test, we were able to find AI results for queries on topics like recipes and “best laptops of 2024.”
The page explaining the results states that the material is generated using ChatGPT and that TikTok “displays content when:” [the algorithm] Find something related to your search. ” This feature seems to be limited for now. Not every query has an AI answer.
There's also a similar feature called “Search Highlights” that isn't labeled as AI-generated. These also appear at the top of search results, but it's not clear where the information comes from, such as whether it's an abridged version of the video or pulled from somewhere else. TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the feature.
The video platform has been steadily adding features to its in-app search. Last fall, TikTok began testing adding Google search results to its in-app results page, which essentially acts as a link to Google. TikTok is also experimenting with adding links to Wikipedia, IMDb, and other websites directly to the app's search results page.
TikTok is trying to capitalize on some of the habits that users, especially young people, have developed on the app. Many young users treat her TikTok like a search engine, choosing to look up restaurant and product recommendations within the app rather than using platforms like Google Search. And like Google, TikTok also now seems to be leaning towards AI results by including creators' AI results on top of their content.
