TikTok Doubles Down on #Wanderlust with New Apple Maps Integration

We've all experienced wanderlust while scrolling through TikTok, stumbling upon videos of the Fiji Mountains or pristine glamping sites by a river – it's impossible to use the app without feeling the travel bug.

ByteDance-owned TikTok is amplifying this wanderlust with an Apple Maps integration, positioning itself as a competitor to Yelp and Google Maps. According to Colin Kirkland of MediaPost, TikTok is expanding its travel recommendation features for destinations like New York, Boston, and Texas - and Charleston!

Early reports indicate that the new "explore more places" option will diversify the user experience, creating a curated travel site feel with user-generated content providing real-time information about businesses and locations. Nearly one in ten Gen-Zers prefer using TikTok over Google as a search engine, and this new feature offers small businesses an incredible opportunity to leverage social media's "real-time" experience.

In today's digital landscape, social media strategy is crucial. With the right content and community management approach, the advertising efficiency gained through earned media – even from a single viral hit – can surpass the value of a Super Bowl ad. Advertising on TikTok requires a unique strategy. The creative team handling a traditional 30-second spot shouldn't be the same team managing TikTok content; a specialized social team can translate a traditional campaign into something that resonates more naturally with a social audience.

If you want to have a jam session with Cristin about this rollout and ways in which a cohesive social strategy can take your small business to the next level on TikTok (and beyond) - let's chat!