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Why TikTok Is the new google for Gen Z

April 30, 2025

For years, Google has been the undisputed king of search engines. But for Gen Z? 👀 That’s changing fast. More and more, they’re turning to TikTok as their go-to search tool for recipes, fashion trends, hotspots, and life hacks. But why? And what does it mean for brands?

Why Gen Z uses TikTok as a search engine

  1. Fast & visual answers

Gen Z grew up in a world where speed is everything. Long Google articles? Ain’t nobody got time for that. TikTok delivers quick, straight-to-the-point answers with visual explanations—perfect for their short attention spans.

  1. Authenticity & real opinions

Unlike Google’s generic search results, TikTok gives you first-hand experiences. Want a new skincare product? You’ll find real people testing it, not just staged product descriptions. Looking for a cool food spot? A local TikToker’s review beats a random website any day.

  1. Hyper-personalized algorithm

Google makes you dig through pages of results. TikTok? It hands you the perfect content on your For You Page (FYP)—tailored exactly to your interests and search behavior.

What this means for brands

  • TikTok SEO is the future. So use relevant keywords in your captions and hashtags. If users search for “best sneakers 2024,” make sure your video includes that phrase. 🚀 
  • Create valuable, educational content like ‘How-to’ videos, tips, and product reviews. They perform insanely well because they match how Gen Z searches. đŸŽ„ 
  • Collaborate with TikTok creators! Influencers and micro-creators already have an engaged, trusting audience. Teaming up with them = instant visibility boost. 👀 
  • Use captions & keywords in your videos. TikTok indexes both text in captions and speech in videos. Use this to rank higher in search results! 📝

Want to learn more about engaging Gen Z on social media? Check out our 5 golden rules to reach Gen Z.

TikTok is no longer just an entertainment app—it’s evolving into Gen Z’s favorite search engine. Smart brands are adapting now to show up where Gen Z is actually looking.

Are you ready to turn TikTok into your next big SEO tool? 🚀 Get in touch today and let’s see what we can do together!

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