Is TikTok Replacing Google?

As TikTok continues to dominate screen time, the question is no longer if people use it to search — it’s how much they rely on it for information. In this episode of Tea Talks, the team digs into TikTok’s evolution from social app to search hybrid.

What’s Happening:

TikTok is becoming the go-to place for:

• How-to videos
• Product reviews
• Quick tips and tutorials
• Micro-learning through short-form content

It’s not just Gen Z — everyone loves learning in 30 seconds or less.

Key Stats to Know:

• 64% of Gen Z use TikTok as a search engine
• 41% of people have used TikTok instead of Google (source: Google!)
• 10% of Gen Z have never used Google at all

That’s a generational shift in the making.

TikTok vs. Google vs. Amazon:

• Google still leads in traditional search
• Amazon dominates shopping-related searches
• TikTok isn’t yet recognised formally as a search engine
• But it is changing how people gather and trust information

Why It Works:

• Video is more engaging than text
• Visual learning has higher retention
• TikTok content is fast, easy to digest, and feels personal

TikTok Ads: What You Need to Know

Yes — you can advertise on TikTok. But:

• Ads don’t use keyword targeting (like Google)
• They rely on interests, audiences, and the content itself
• Keywords still matter — but they must appear in the video, captions, or speech

Final Verdict:

TikTok isn’t replacing search engines like Google — but it’s redefining what “search” means. Think of it as a search-social hybrid that caters to how younger generations want to learn: fast, visual, and scrollable.

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