TikTok and Instagram are now not only popularly used as social media. For Gen Z youth, these two applications are now their place to search instead of Google.
Nearly 40% of Gen Z prefer to use TikTok and Instagram to find something instead of Google Search and Maps. This information was revealed directly by a Google official who cited internal company data.
"In our study, almost 40% of young people, when they are looking for a place to have lunch, they don't use Google Maps or Search. They use TikTok or Instagram," said Google Senior Vice President Prabhakar Raghavan, as quoted by TechCrunch, Sunday (17 (17/17). /7/2022).
Raghavan said new internet users have a different mindset than veteran internet users. These young users are not looking for something using keywords, but are looking for content in a more immersive way.
Google confirmed Raghavan's comments and said the data was taken from an internal survey involving internet users in the United States aged 18-24. This data is not yet publicly available, but may be entered on Google's competition site.
This finding could be problematic for Google. Young internet users may still use Maps for navigation, but Google is no longer their first destination for searching.
Google has spent years updating its recommendation algorithm for various businesses in Search and Maps. Apart from that, they also earn money from advertisements that are sold for some searches on Search.
Although it continues to be crushed by competitors, Google will not remain silent. The Mountain View-based company has developed several features that make search results on Maps richer, such as using augmented reality and immersive views that make the map look more realistic.
"We have to put out completely new expectations and that requires completely new technological underpinnings," said Raghavan.