Mashable vs The Independent

Reddit Tests AI Feature Turning Text Posts into Videos with Read-Aloud

Reddit is testing an AI-powered feature that converts selected English-language text posts into video and audio formats. According to Mashable, the feature will initially roll out in web browsers, followed by iOS and Android. Users will see a toggle allowing them to switch between 'Read' and 'Play' modes; in Play mode, a TikTok-style video displays an AI-generated voice reading the post and selected comments, with subtitles and a label reading 'Real conversation voiced by AI'. The test is limited to manually chosen posts in specific subreddits. Reddit CEO Steve Huffman had previewed the initiative during the company's Q2 earnings call in July, describing a 'video Reddit experience' that lets users watch or listen to posts. Reddit says the experiment aims to make conversations more accessible and immersive, and the company will decide on a broader rollout based on user feedback. Original text posts remain available.

• Reddit is testing an AI feature that converts selected English-language text posts into video and audio formats with read-aloud functionality.
• The feature rolls out first in web browsers, then on iOS and Android.
• Reddit CEO Steve Huffman mentioned the feature during the Q2 earnings call in July.

Reddit Tests AI Feature Turning Text Posts Into Videos

Reddit is testing a feature that uses AI to convert text posts into video and audio formats, according to Mashable. The rollout begins Monday in web browsers, with iOS and Android following Tuesday. The experiment creates audio/video formats with multi-voice text-to-speech, subtitles, and visual templates. It is currently limited to manually selected English-language posts in specific subreddits. Users see a toggle between 'Read' and 'Play'; in Play mode, an AI voice reads the post and comments while text highlights, with a label noting 'Real conversation voiced by AI.' CEO Steve Huffman announced the video Reddit experience in July during the Q2 earnings call, allowing users to watch and listen to posts. The move follows Reddit's broader video push, including video comments introduced in June and AI-powered moderation tools. Broader rollout depends on user feedback.

• Reddit is testing an AI feature that converts text posts into video and audio formats.
• The feature rolls out first in web browsers, followed by iOS and Android.
• The test is limited to manually selected English-language posts in specific subreddits.

MAGA influencers start crashing out online over Dem midterm sweep

The Independent's news page has been updated with the latest US midterm election results, including Democrats winning control of the Senate and House, and Trump's reaction to the losses.

Intent IQ Boosts The Independent's Revenue Nearly 30%

Intent IQ, a leader in identity resolution, announced results from its partnership with The Independent, a leading international digital news publisher. Using Intent IQ's Bid Enhancement solution, The Independent increased revenue by nearly 30%, CPMs by [unspecified] across ID-less inventory. This collaboration demonstrates the effectiveness of cookieless identity solutions in improving publisher monetization. The partnership highlights the growing importance of alternative identity solutions in a privacy-first advertising landscape. The results were announced on October 29, 2026.

• Intent IQ's Bid Enhancement solution helped The Independent increase revenue by nearly 30%.
• The partnership focuses on ID-less inventory, demonstrating the effectiveness of cookieless identity solutions.
• The announcement was made on October 29, 2026.

The Independent's social commerce revenue surpasses SEO

The Independent's social-commerce revenue surpassed its SEO-based revenue for the first time in September, indicating a shift toward social platforms and away from search traffic, which has declined partly due to AI. CEO Christian Broughton declared the old search-and-social model 'dead' and outlined four growth areas: AI, creator-led studio work, e-commerce, and membership, expected to contribute nearly half of 2026 revenue. The company reported £55.1 million in 2025 revenue, up 4%, with profit before tax rising 9% to £3.5 million. Broughton also highlighted AI productivity gains, including the 'Bulletin' news app with 12 million monthly users, the 'Eva' AI feature that reduced bounce rate, and a live news team six times more productive. Meanwhile, Meta's upcoming terms update on October 30 extends AI training scraping rights to all linked websites, criticized as a data grab that may override robots.txt and bypass licensing. In parallel, e-commerce platforms are navigating AI agent integration, with Amazon blocking third-party agents while Walmart and Target partner with OpenAI, and Zillow licensing data to Google for Gemini.

• The Independent's social-commerce revenue surpassed SEO-based revenue for the first time in September.
• CEO Christian Broughton declared the old search-and-social business model 'dead'.
• Meta will extend scraping rights to all websites linked on its platforms starting October 30.