Reddit vs TikTok

Reddit Launches Enhanced Capabilities for Lead Generation

Reddit has announced new enhanced capabilities for lead generation, as featured in their latest press release on October 6, 2026.

Reddit ends RSS feeds and public API due to AI scraping

Reddit announced that it will discontinue support for RSS feeds starting November 13, 2026, citing the format's vulnerability to large-scale scraping and automated abuse. The company also revealed that its public API will be shut down by March 2027, impacting social listening tools, researchers, and AI assistants that rely on programmatic access to Reddit conversations. These moves are part of Reddit's broader efforts to protect its data and monetize it through AI licensing deals, which have become a profitable separate revenue stream. The company is recommending moderators migrate to its Discord Relay Devvit app, but acknowledges there is no direct replacement for general RSS use. Additionally, Reddit will restrict access to Old Reddit to logged-in moderators and users active in the past six months, and developers must register their apps by January 12, 2027.

• Reddit will end RSS feed support on November 13, 2026.
• Reddit's public API access will end by March 2027.
• Reddit's non-advertising revenue grew 24% year-over-year to $43 million in Q2 2026.

HBO Max Reddit Account Hacked for Ad Fraud

HBO Max's verified Reddit account was compromised by a hacker group, which ran 108 ad variations over two days before being detected. The malicious ads promoted fake HBO Max downloads and promos, using a lookalike domain 'hbomax.us' to deceive users into data harvesting. Reddit stated it locked the account, removed the ads, and is working with HBO Max to enhance security. Warner Bros. Discovery, HBO Max's parent, did not comment. The breach reportedly stemmed from a compromised employee account, highlighting ongoing ad account takeover risks. The article also notes similar issues on Google Ads and calls for platforms to notify users affected by scam ads.

• HBO Max's verified Reddit account was taken over by a hacker group.
• The attackers ran 108 ad variations targeting Reddit users.
• Malicious ads used domain 'hbomax.us' to trick users into data harvesting.

tm:rw Opens Nine Live Studios on TikTok Shop

tm:rw, an immersive innovation retail destination, has launched 'tm:rw Studios', the world's first in-store social commerce event, broadcast live on TikTok Shop from its 22,000 sq ft Times Square flagship. The store now houses nine studios, each dedicated to a partner brand, with hosts and creators moving from studio to studio in one continuous livestream. Viewers can purchase products in real-time without leaving the stream. The launch lineup includes eleven brands: TDM, Whoop, HoverAir, Cozyla, Robosen, Amazon, Anker, Memomind, AEKE, Target Darts, and SIQ. One studio remains permanently for ongoing creator use. TikTok Shop's U.S. gross merchandise value nearly doubled to an estimated $11.8 billion in the first half of 2026. tm:rw aims to transform retail by combining commerce and content.

• tm:rw launched 'tm:rw Studios', a live social commerce event on TikTok Shop from its Times Square flagship.
• The event features nine studios, each dedicated to a partner brand, with 11 brands participating.
• One studio remains permanently open for creators and the public to stream.

Shapermint targets $10M TikTok Shop sales via mature creators

Shapewear brand Shapermint is on track to generate $10 million in sales on TikTok Shop this year, driven by a network of over 5,000 active affiliate creators, 60% of whom are over 35. This strategy aligns with the brand's core demographic of women aged 35-65 and has fueled rapid growth, including a 515% month-over-month sales spike. The brand has produced over 20,000 TikTok videos since January, utilizing a Discord channel for creative briefs and a sampling process that encourages creator output. The success highlights TikTok Shop's expanding appeal beyond Gen Z, as emphasized by TikTok's Patrick Nommensen at Shoptalk Fall. Shapermint aims to reach a $4 million per month sales run-rate by year-end.

• Shapermint expects $10 million in TikTok Shop sales this year.
• 60% of Shapermint's top affiliate creators on TikTok are over age 35.
• Shapermint works with over 5,000 active creators on TikTok Shop's affiliate network.

TikTok Unveils AI Shopping Assistant and Search Ads

At Advertising Week NYC 2026, TikTok announced a new suite of AI-powered tools designed to enhance shopping discovery and streamline campaign management. Key launches include Shopping Assistant, an AI agent within TikTok's Agentic Commerce framework that provides real-time shopping guidance, and Search Ads Campaign, which leverages Smart+ automation to target high-intent users. Additionally, TikTok introduced Smart+ Creative Selection to unify brand assets, AI-generated content, and creator videos, and expanded its Model Context Protocol (MCP) for business integration with external AI platforms. TikTok also enhanced GMV Max to factor in business overheads like affiliate commissions and promotional coupons, enabling merchants to optimize campaigns based on true profit margins. Independent research from Public First highlights that TikTok ads generated €31 billion in economic value for EU brands in 2025.

• TikTok launched Shopping Assistant, an AI agent within its Agentic Commerce framework.
• TikTok introduced Search Ads Campaign, automated by Smart+ technology, to capture high-intent audiences.
• TikTok expanded its Model Context Protocol (MCP) for business integration with external AI platforms.