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* NYT story entitled “For Gen Z, TikTok is the new search engine”…

TikTok’s rise as a discovery tool is part of a broader transformation in digital search. While Google remains the world’s dominant search engine, people are turning to Amazon to search for products, Instagram to stay updated on trends and Snapchat’s Snap Maps to find local businesses. As the digital world continues growing, the universe of ways to find information in it is expanding.

Google has noticed TikTok edging into its domain. While the Silicon Valley company disputed that young people were using TikTok as a replacement for its search engine, at least one Google executive has publicly remarked on the rival video app’s search capabilities.

“In our studies, something like almost 40% of young people, when they’re looking for a place for lunch, they don’t go to Google Maps or Search. They go to TikTok or Instagram,” Prabhakar Raghavan, a Google senior vice president, said at a technology conference in July.

* The Question: Other than this blog, of course, what’s your social media of choice?

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 1:38 pm

Comments

I’m one of those horrible people who actually uses twitter.

I’ve been forced to get a tiktok just to communicate with some other people and genuinely don’t understand how it’s even usable as a search engine.

Comment by Nick Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 1:42 pm
It’s primarily Twitter. Facebook is mostly unusable at this point. Never got into Instagram. And I might be too old for TikTok

Comment by Sox Fan Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 1:43 pm
my IT skills are extremely limited but do manage to Google a few things.

Comment by Blue Dog Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 1:44 pm
Twitter.

Comment by Amalia Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 1:45 pm
Not entirely sure if the Trib or Raghavan is on the nose here about Gen Z using TikTok as a search engine. Like Nick said, I don’t even know how one would look for a specific fact or figure using TikTok. Restaurants and things to do I could see, but event then it would be pretty limited.

I use Twitter frequently. The trending page is oftentimes more up-to-date than my Google News feed.

Comment by Oak Brook Boy Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 1:48 pm
Twitter - cut the politics and you’ll be rocking and rolling with belly laughs everyday

Comment by Google Is Your Friend Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 1:50 pm
Twitter and TikTok are my favorites.

Comment by Justin Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 1:52 pm
== Not entirely sure if the Trib or Raghavan is on the nose here about Gen Z using TikTok as a search engine. Like Nick said, I don’t even know how one would look for a specific fact or figure using TikTok ==

It’s definitely a generational thing. TikTok as a search engine is actually quite effective. Search basically anything via the search bar and you’ll find tons of video content on the subject (some from experts, news sources etc. and some from your neighbor bob). It’s far more updated than a google search and the algorithm seems to get what your looking for.

Just some thoughts from the younger gen.

Comment by Lakefront Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 1:53 pm
i use twitter
don’t use tiktok cause of the enormous amount of spyware

Justin is tiktok usable for searches?

Comment by halving_fun Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 1:56 pm
Twitter mostly. And also a Facebook group called 217 Foodies.

Comment by Cheswick Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 2:00 pm
The only social media I use is FB. I use it primarily to keep up with friends and families and for my hobbies. I avoid politics on it like the plague!

Comment by G'Kar Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 2:02 pm
Twitter- ONLY in the “latest tweets” setting, not the “home” setting. I get tweets from people I follow and nothing more.

Comment by jimbo Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 2:02 pm
The only social media I use is FB. I use it primarily to keep up with friends and families and for my hobbies. I avoid politics on it like the plague.

Comment by G'Kar Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 2:03 pm
Quit Facebook in 2020 due to right wing extremism. Quit Twitter a year ago for the same reason.

I’m on TikTok for funny videos, but have to delete my account and start a new one every couple months because the algorithm keeps directing me to more right wing extremism.

I’m on Twitch for a number of gamers and streamers there.

Comment by SWIL_Voter Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 2:07 pm
Rotate on a regular basis. Grew up far away, Facebook to keep up with old friends (& child posts lots of pics of 4 & 2 legged grandkids). YouTube. Twitter (usually from other sites). LinkedIn. Reddit (great Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Sopranos). Quora (needle in haystack, unfortunately).

Comment by Anyone Remember Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 2:07 pm
Twitter is more of a rumor mill, so use it at your own risk
besides here I also use Reddit & RSS feeds for web sites that update their content more often
For each I try to keep in mind the perspective that someone might be trying to put out

Comment by crow930 Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 2:07 pm
Twitter. Though I have been getting more follows from new/troll accounts the past month. Blocked six. I like Tina’s feed and Michael Beschloss’ as well. Plus some nerd stuff.

Comment by Proud Sucker Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 2:10 pm
Twitter. I’ve never had any other social media account. And an earlier commenter is correct - cut the politics and it’s hilarious.

Didn’t know TikTok was used for search. My go to for search is googling what I’m searching for and adding ‘reddit’ - almost never fails

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 2:10 pm
Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle (I’m a nerd.)

Even though I do not have a Quora account, Quora found out my email address and sends me postings. I’ve learned two things: the concept of “civil discourse” is a lost art (and not just in America) and there seems to be a gazillion people who can’t stand Harry and Meghan.

I “lurk” on some sub-Reddits. Reading some of the posts make me feel better about my friends, family members, co-workers, and life choices.

Comment by Bourbon Street Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 2:11 pm
crow930: what do you use for your RSS reader? I’m always on the lookout for something better. Thanks.

Comment by Cheswick Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 2:11 pm
Reddit and Signal. I get my restaurant recommendations and chat from a hyperfocused local foodie forum.

Comment by Victor Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 2:12 pm
YouTube for small appliance repair tutorials, recipes, and music, mainly the blues.

Google for factoids to settle wagers, historical info like when Jane Byrne lived in Cabrini Green, medical info, and current events. I self diagnose most of my ailments. I told my providers that my accuracy hovers around 3%.

Comment by Langhorne Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 2:13 pm
I ask my kids. They ask their phones. Leaves me a lot of plausible deniability.

Comment by Jibba Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 2:14 pm
I am pretty much a Google searcher, and Amazon shopper, and a Facebook huckster. I have tried the other forums (except TikTok), but all my old cronies are still on Facebook. I also am leery of TikTok given that there are rumors regarding China accessing TikTok accounts.

Comment by H-W Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 2:14 pm
Capitol Fax is my only social media…Rich Miller is a known and reliable source ( and Editor)…for sure.

Comment by Dotnonymous Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 2:14 pm
Cheswick I’ve been happy with Feedly for some time now.

Comment by crow930 Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 2:17 pm
Boy is there ever a bunch of stuff out there I never heard of. But then I am so old I am not in any of their demographics. I just use a google and YouTube and I can’t believe it I use Amazon more and more. When I go to a store I am often told we don’t have it but you can get it on line. I always think well in a few more years you won’t have to come to work because there will no longer be stores

Comment by DuPage Saint Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 2:27 pm
My favorite? None of it. Will occasionally use YouTube or Facebook, but don’t like nor need any of it.

Now get off my lawn you kids (banned punctuation here).

Comment by Lt Guv Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 2:36 pm
It’s 4chan mostly for me, when I’m not on here.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 2:39 pm
Myspace

Comment by Ryan Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 2:41 pm
1) A mercilessly exclusive and frequently culled Facebook account to keep track of a) the doings of remote nieces and nephews, and b) the doings of musicians of whom I’m a fan or a friend, and
2) a highly curated Twitter feed for newz and socializing with smart and/or interesting people. (Daily weeding of the feed by muting and blocking problematic people and phrases — e.g. “RT if you” — is the key to an enjoyable and/or meaningful Twitter experience, imho.)

– MrJM
http://www.Twitter.Com/akamisterjayem

Comment by MisterJayEm Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 2:54 pm
Since I lost my Buddy List on AOL Instant Messenger its back to post cards.

Comment by Jerry Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 2:56 pm
Twitter. I can read tweets in German, Swedish, and Finnish. Talk about the latest Swedish election results or Sweden and Finland’s application to NATO. I suppose I’m into the politics but more in an international way. I really feel part of an international world on Twitter.

Comment by cermak_rd Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 2:56 pm
Linkedin and Quora. Quora has some interesting insights at times.

Comment by Res Melius Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 2:58 pm
Have linkedin profile. Don’t post or follow anyone. Used to have facebook when daughters were in high school. Decided to trust them and deleted my account.

I have other things to do than tell other people what I am doing.

Oh wait …

Comment by Huh? Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 3:01 pm
Instagram for personal.

Twitter for work/political.

Google search for everything.

Comment by twowaystreet Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 3:08 pm
Twitter with Facebook in second.
Far less local (to me in my part of Forgottonia) “experts” on everything on Twitter.

Comment by btowntruth from forgottonia Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 3:09 pm
No FB, no Twitter, no TikTok, no Instagram.

I sometimes go to YouTube. Mostly, I hang out on LibraryThing: https://www.librarything.com and The History Blog: www.thehistoryblog.com/

Comment by JoanP Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 3:18 pm
Fox News is a first then Capital Fax..

Comment by Nieva Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 3:20 pm
Twitter and less so Reddit.

Not signing up for a Facebook account many years ago has served me well.

Comment by danray Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 3:22 pm
Reddit - the modern equivalent of the ancient Usenet topical boards (and allows pseudonymous accounts).

Twitter is 2nd but more and more read only

Nextdoor to give away junk and diffuse tension

Only use TikTok as an supplemental entertainment channel. Mostly to find funny animal videos for mom, and occasionally funny videos (Benny The Bull and Blue the Indianapolis Colt, e.g.).

Comment by Goodson Oddman Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 3:36 pm
After I posted above, I ran an errand and on NPR they had an interview with an author of a new book on the history of Youtube. I don’t think of Youtube as social media, as I use it primarily for entertainment. I’ll put on a music video while I’m working and let their algorithm pick more music for me. I’ve never used it to look for political talking heads or anything political.

Finally, sorry about the double post above. When the first one didn’t post quickly, I thought I was blocked because I used a banned punctuation. So, I removed the offending mark and posted again. I was surprised when both ended up being posted.

Comment by G'Kar Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 3:49 pm
I use Facebook and Twitter the most. I never post on politics using Facebook and only occasionally on Twitter. I’ve been opening Twitter more this year since the start of the war in Ukraine and to follow the J6 committee. I have LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok accounts but rarely open them.

Comment by Jaguar Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 3:50 pm
Breaking.. Gen Z can’t read, needs videos

Comment by Future Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 4:11 pm
Twitter and Reddit for me. Twitter I mostly follow local/state level reporters, plus a few subject matter specialists in my field (and a handful of legal commentators like Popehat). Reddit I stick to news, politics, chicago, and then a dozen or so subs related to some hobbies.

I still have a facebook account, but I mostly just use that for organizing events with my friends, I never actually read anything anyone else posts.

Comment by Homebody Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 4:30 pm
Truth Social of course.

Actually I would be afraid to even try it out. I mainly still Google and Twitter along with some Instagram.

Comment by Been There Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 4:32 pm
DuPage Saint — Here in rural country, Amazon is the only alternative to WalMart and “FarmMart”. As a result, we had to adapt prior to Covid. I like shopping online now, especially since sales tax became automated.

Great weekend all.

Comment by H-W Friday, Sep 16, 22 @ 4:36 pm