TikTok announced the rollout of the Local Feed on February 11, 2026, introducing a new home screen tab focused on nearby content and businesses.
The feature curates posts tied to a user’s geographic area, including videos related to restaurants, shopping, events, and local services.
According to TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, Local Feed recommendations are determined by location signals, content topics, and recency.
The company stated that the feed prioritizes timely, locally relevant posts over general trending content.
TikTok specified that content from accounts under 18 will not appear in the Local Feed. Posts from private accounts or those restricted to Friends or Only You are also excluded.
The update includes new controls for location precision. Users aged 18 and older can choose to enable GPS-based location sharing to improve feed relevance. TikTok stated that precise location access is disabled by default, operates only while the app is in use, and can be turned off at any time.
TikTok framed the feature as part of its broader effort to connect users with local creators and small businesses.
Why This Matters Today
The Local Feed signals TikTok’s deeper move into location-based discovery, an area traditionally dominated by search engines and review platforms.
By surfacing geographically relevant content inside the main app experience, TikTok is expanding beyond entertainment-driven feeds.
For small businesses, the feature may alter how local visibility is earned.
Rather than relying solely on search optimization or paid ads, businesses may increasingly compete through content designed for local recommendation systems.
TikTok cited prior economic data to frame the shift. A 2025 Oxford Economics report found that millions of U.S. businesses used the platform to reach customers, with a large share reporting growth tied to TikTok exposure.
The introduction of optional GPS precision also reflects broader platform trends.
Major consumer apps have gradually expanded location features while emphasizing user controls and transparency.
From a competitive standpoint, TikTok is strengthening its position as a discovery engine. Location-aware feeds place the platform in more direct overlap with Google Maps, Yelp, and Instagram’s local search tools.
The rollout may influence creator strategies, particularly for content targeting regional audiences.
Our Key Takeaways:
TikTok introduced the Local Feed as a location-aware content discovery tab. The feature prioritizes nearby videos, businesses, and events. Content visibility rules differ from the main feed, with age and privacy restrictions applied.
Optional GPS precision expands TikTok’s location capabilities.
- TikTok added a Local Feed tab that recommends posts based on geographic relevance, topic, and recency.
- The company excluded content from under-18 accounts and private or restricted posts.
- GPS-based precise location sharing is optional, disabled by default, and limited to active app usage.
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