TikTok Launches U.S.-Only Local Feed Using Location Data

TikTok launches a U.S.-only Local Feed

TikTok has launched a new Local Feed exclusively for users in the United States. The feature, which began appearing in the app today, is designed to surface content from a user's immediate geographic area.

It is a U.S. version of the "Nearby Feed" the company introduced in the UK and Europe in December. The launch comes less than a month after TikTok's U.S. operations were formally placed under new ownership.

How the Local Feed works

The Local Feed appears as a tab to the left of the Following feed. Unlike the main For You Page, it initially displays posts in a scrollable list format instead of autoplaying full-screen videos.

TikTok says the feed is meant to help users "discover and connect with content, businesses, and services wherever you are." In early testing, the feed primarily showed restaurant recommendations and local business content.

While the feed starts as a list, tapping on a video allows you to swipe through the feed in the app's standard vertical video format.

Who can see and appear in the Local Feed

The Local Feed is appearing automatically for U.S. users and does not require an opt-in to see it. However, there are restrictions on which accounts can have their content featured in it.

The feed will not include content from:

• Accounts belonging to users under 18
• Private accounts
• Accounts with post privacy set to "Friends" or "Only You"

Two methods for location tracking

The feature relies on location data, but TikTok uses two distinct methods with different levels of precision. The company clarified this in a call following the launch.

Coarse location data is the default and longstanding method. It uses information like your IP address and network connection to approximate your location, typically down to a county level. This method does not use GPS and cannot be disabled without deleting the app.

Precise GPS data is a new, optional layer. Users can choose to share their exact GPS location with TikTok to get hyper-local content, like neighborhood-specific posts. This is off by default and requires explicit user permission.

Privacy controls and user choice

Users concerned about privacy can use the Local Feed without enabling precise GPS tracking. The feed will function using only the coarse location data the app has historically accessed.

To enable precise location sharing, users must wait for the feature to roll out to their account and then toggle it on in the TikTok app under Settings and privacy > Privacy. If the toggle is not visible, the feature is not yet available to that user.

TikTok states that if precise location is enabled:

• Location is only accessed while the app is in use
• An on-screen indicator appears when location is being accessed
• The setting remains off by default and is unavailable to users under 18

The company also updated its privacy policy to clarify that enabling device-wide location services is not enough; the setting must be specifically enabled within the TikTok app itself for GPS data to be shared.