Google Versus TikTok for Search
Move over Google, there’s a new search tool in town! What is it? Why, TikTok, of course! That’s right, while it may seem hard to believe, according to Cloudflare’s Year in Review for internet traffic, the China-based video-sharing platform’s traffic actually surpassed Google in 2021, officially dethroning the once mighty tech giant in the search engine realm. It really is unprecedented, because just a year before, Google ranked #1, a rank that the search engine held for many years, while TikTok ranked #7, lagging six spots behind.
Google Versus TikTok for Search
As per information compiled in Cloudflare’s Year in Review, in 2021, TikTok held the first spot, Google took second place, Facebook ranked #3, Microsoft came in at #4, and Apple was 5th place.
It’s important to note, however, that Cloudflare’s 2020 and 2021 rankings aren’t flawless. Cloudflare Radar, the organization that collects and categorizes the data, only came onto the scene in September of 2020, so they only had a few months of data to go by for that year’s rankings.
Google is very alert to the fact that TikTok has surpassed the search engine and is now the dominant tool that people are using to find information. As such, Google is in the process of making the transition to offering more video and audio-centered content.
Today, internet users are shifting away from written content in favor of content they can see and hear. Video sharing social media platforms, such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and also Spotify/Apple podcasts have sparked this shift in content preference.
Which is Better: TikTok or Google?
Should you use TikTok or Google to search for what you’re looking for? That’s a hard question to answer because ultimately, you need to make the decision for yourself. That said, to help you decide which one is better to use as a search platform, it’s important to assess some key information. In an effort to assist you with making that decision, here are some key points to consider.
TikTok
A Nielsen study on authenticity, which was conducted in 2021, found that TikTok is a great place for discovery, as the content is more authentic than other tools. The video-sharing platform partnered with Nielson to commission a customized study involving more than 8,000 respondents from all over the planet. The study helped Nielsen gain a better understanding of content perception, as well as their view of the authenticity of brands on the video sharing platform compared to other top-ranking social media and video sharing platforms. The study found that users who participated viewed the content on TikTok as more authentic, real, unedited, and trendsetting.
According to Inquirer.net, TikTok has become an invaluable tool for learning a wide range of topics, from science to math, life hacks, DIY projects, and even motivation and advice. That’s because, as the site says, the TikTok app is easy to use and many people are utilizing it for more than just entertainment. In fact, the hashtag #LearnOnTikTok had more than 76 billion views in 2021 (and that number has undoubtedly increased). This clearly illustrates just how much TikTok users find the videos that are shared on the site educational, informative, and beneficial.
The short-form videos that are shared on TikTok are ideal educational tools; not only for adults but particularly for younger audiences as well. The University of Sunderland’s senior lecturer in education, Dr. Elizabeth Hidson, recommends using short-form videos in children’s education, and has dubbed these videos a form of “micro-learning”.
Though TikTok now holds the first place position over Google on search engine rankings, this doesn’t negate the fact that Google still remains a powerful search engine. Google has been the most widely used search engine in the world for many years, which clearly indicates that it is still a powerhouse. In fact, there’s a good chance that TikTok’s popularity could just be a trend and Google will reclaim its first place spot over the next year.
Google is associated with so many things. It powers its own cellphones, Android, which is one of the most widely used cellphone brands in the world. As such, all Android devices are instantly connected to Google, which makes it really easy for those who utilize Android to access not only the Google search engine but all of the other tools that are powered by Google as well.
Consider this: Many Gen Zers don’t use Google. Here’s why they prefer to search on TikTok and Instagram.
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