From restaurant guides to funds, right here’s how TikTok is constructing an excellent app | TechCrunch

TikTok introduced this week that it’s including an in-app restaurant information, marking one other step within the platform’s enlargement past social media. The firm has additionally not too long ago been noticed creating a function that may enable customers to ship cash over direct messages.

The social media app has steadily expanded its choices lately, including TikTok Shop, a map for native discovery, extra strong search options, video games, and extra. It seems that TikTok is taking steps to evolve right into a “super app,” a single platform the place customers can do rather more than simply watch and share movies and that may really deal with a variety of wants in a single vacation spot. 

The tremendous app mannequin is large in China with apps like WeChat, which is form of like Facebook, WhatsApp, Apple Pay, and an app retailer all rolled right into a single platform. Of course, there’s the query of whether or not an excellent app mannequin would work exterior of China, however that doesn’t imply TikTok gained’t attempt.

Instead of switching between apps, TikTok is working to develop into the app that individuals use for many of their digital actions. After taking its greatest leap with TikTok Shop, the corporate — which, notably, transitioned to new, primarily U.S. possession again in January — has utilized the identical playbook to current developments. 

Restaurant Guides

TikTok has develop into a preferred vacation spot for restaurant suggestions, with viral movies typically driving prospects to native eateries. Now, the platform is trying to make that discovery course of even simpler with a brand new function known as “Must Eat.” The community-driven information highlights eating places getting consideration on the platform.

“Must Eat” attracts on greater than 40 million posts and feedback to compile restaurant suggestions and curated lists in a single place. Users can browse eating places by metropolis and slender their search by delicacies, value, score, and placement.

The transfer places TikTok in additional direct competitors with platforms like Yelp and Google Maps. It additionally displays how the app is increasing its function in customers’ on a regular basis selections, from what they purchase to the place they select to exit to eat.

Payments

Bloomberg reported in August that TikTok is creating a function that may enable customers to ship one another cash through direct messages. If rolled out, the function would use the social media service’s TikTok Pay providing, which is already out there in Southeast Asia for TikTok Shop purchases.

Additionally, Reuters reported in March that TikTok had utilized to Brazil’s central financial institution for approval to function as a monetary expertise firm providing lending and cost companies. 

TikTok’s potential enlargement into funds marks a big method that the corporate is branching out past a social media platform and right into a digital ecosystem. By aiming to deliver monetary companies into its app, TikTok is trying to improve consumer engagement, open new income streams, and place itself to compete with fintech startups and e-commerce platforms.

Sports

Over the years, TikTok has steadily been trying to develop into a spot the place customers can come for sports activities highlights and content material. In early June, the corporate launched a devoted hub for the FIFA World Cup the place customers can see scores, match schedules, standings, trending movies, highlights, movies from gamers, and extra.

If persons are already watching movies on TikTok however wish to sustain with the rating, they’ll achieve this with out leaving the app or opening a devoted sports activities information app or Google.

The World Cup hub was made doable by way of TikTok’s Sports-focused product known as “TikTok GamePlan,” which is designed to permit sports activities groups, leagues, and broadcasters to drive discovery and engagement on the platform. The social media big additionally has partnerships with Major League Soccer (MLS) and Major League Baseball (MLB) for behind-the-scenes and unique content material.

Hotel and attraction reserving

In May, TikTok launched TikTok GO, a method for customers to find and guide inns, points of interest, and experiences immediately inside its app within the United States. TikTok GO surfaces lodging and issues to do by way of movies, search, and placement pages. When customers discover one thing they’re enthusiastic about, they’ll view particulars, test availability, and full a reserving. 

Instead of directing customers to third-party web sites after they discover a vacation spot or suggestion in a video, TikTok has began positioning itself as a one-stop platform the place viral journey content material can drive bookings and income.

While folks have already been utilizing TikTok as a search engine and alternative for Google, this newest step places TikTok in additional direct competitors with Google’s core companies, Search and Google Maps, as a result of it’s working to not solely be the app the place you uncover locations, but additionally the platform the place you buy that journey. 

TikTok Shop

It’s broadly recognized that certainly one of TikTok’s greatest leaps past social media was the launch of TikTok Shop. TikTok started testing TikTok Shop in 2021 and launched it within the U.S. in 2023. Since then, the corporate has been capable of efficiently compete with Amazon, Shein, and different on-line marketplaces.

According to eMarketer, TikTok Shop grew its U.S. gross sales by 407% in 2024 and one other 108% in 2025 to succeed in $15.82 billion. As of final yr, the corporate accounted for 18.2% of whole social commerce within the U.S., with that quantity anticipated to succeed in 24.1% by 2027.

Additionally, TikTok started difficult digital marketplaces even additional with the launch of TikTok Shop reward playing cards late final yr. TikTok Shop has additionally not too long ago expanded into luxurious retail, after initially primarily being recognized for affordable items.

Music

TikTok’s recognition has influenced the music business and the way folks uncover new music, and the corporate tried to capitalize on this by launching a streaming service known as TikTok Music in 2023 to tackle platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, however ended up shutting it down a yr later. 

The firm mentioned it could concentrate on driving music listening and proceed partnering with music streaming companies somewhat than competing with them. TikTok hasn’t fully deserted its music ambitions, nonetheless, as the corporate not too long ago launched a function that lets Apple Music subscribers play full songs within the app after discovering them on their “For You” feed.

Search and Maps

TikTok has launched a sturdy search expertise that surfaces maps, native hashtags, and even critiques to assist customers uncover trending eating places, journey areas, retailers, and native experiences. It has additionally added extra detailed details about locations and eating places on devoted pages, permitting customers to rapidly see issues like opening hours, star rankings, value ranges, and extra.

TikTok was already consuming into Google’s Search enterprise when it first launched, because it rapidly surfaced movies that includes commentary and visuals of restaurant meals and locations. However, customers should have wanted to show to Google Search to discover a place’s actual location or to learn critiques. Over the previous few years, nonetheless, TikTok has more and more eradicated that want by integrating detailed details about locations proper inside its app.

Microdramas

While TikTok is thought for user-generated leisure, the corporate has additionally begun embracing microdramas by launching an in-app Minis part and a devoted stand-alone app for bite-sized TV exhibits that may be watched in a sequence of one-minute episodes. While TikTok already competes with streaming giants like Netflix for customers’ consideration, its transfer into scripted exhibits places it in much more direct competitors with them.

It’s price noting that TikTok first took strides into leisure with the launch of livestreaming and help for longer movies, a big transfer away from its preliminary concentrate on 15-second movies. 

Games

TikTok has additionally launched a sequence of informal video games in its app to get customers to spend much more time on its platform and have interaction with others in DMs. The addition of video games marked TikTok’s ongoing effort to go from a social media platform to an all-in-one leisure platform the place you can’t solely scroll by way of movies, but additionally problem mates to easy-to-play video games.