ok tests AI-chatbot for search, discovery and discovery

TikTok tests an AI chatbot on select markets. The AI-powered tool, Tako is designed to assist TikTok users in search and discovery.

Why do we care? Google acknowledges that TikTok poses a threat. We’re also watching TikTok closely to see how it improves search on its platform and tests search ads.

TechCrunch describes it as follows:

It will appear above the buttons for comments, likes and bookmarks on the TikTok right-hand interface. Users can tap Tako to ask Tako questions in natural language about the video or find new content by asking Tako for recommendations.

Here is a screenshot.

What TikTok says. Twitter confirmed that TikTok is testing the AI chatbot with select users from the Philippines.

• “We are in the beginning stages of exploring chatbots with a limited trial of Tako among select users in Philippines. Tako is a tool powered by AI that helps with TikTok search and discovery. Tako, powered by a chat assistant from a third party, is designed to make it easier for users to find entertaining and inspirational content on TikTok. There are no plans to continue this past these initial tests. We’re eager to hear feedback from you!”

Google’s TikTok Threat Last year, Google revealed a surprising statistic: 40% of young people use TikTok and Instagram to find a lunch spot (not Google Maps of Search). Google Senior Vice-President Prabhakar Rathavan cited internal research on U.S. users aged 18-24. He noted that these younger Internet users also search differently.

TikTok does not crawl the entire internet like Google. TikTok, like YouTube (often referred to as the second largest search engine), is a search engine that is internal. If it is rolled out worldwide, this AI chatbot could allow TikTok users to discover content by chatting instead of typing into a search box.

The article TikTok launches AI-powered chatbot to search and discover first appeared on Search Engine Land.